The Bombay High Court (HC) has allowed Western Railways to axe 2,612 mangroves for the construction of the fifth and sixth lines between Borivali and Virar stations on the grounds that the project would ease traffic congestion, reduce emissions and save fuel, news agency PTI reported. The court also directed the railway authorities to replant 7,823 mangroves to compensate for the ecological damage.

A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar permitted WR to fell the mangroves on the land required for the new lines on the Mumbai suburban train route. The order which was passed on August 30 became available on Thursday. In the order, the bench has said that the project was overwhelmingly in public interest and has significant ecological benefits.