By Apurva Bhatt

If all goes according to plan the state government can start construction for coastal road later this year. This was assured by Union Minister of environment Prakash Javadekar who in principle agreed that his ministry is soon going to issue clearances for this project.

“We had taken a positive stand in terms of the coastal road. The Maharashtra government is sending us proposals with the changes that have been discussed. Officials from the Centre and state are in constant touch and a solution will be worked out soon. I am very confident that Mumbai will get its coastal road."

The 36km coastal road between Cuffe Parade and Dahisar will include roads on reclaimed land (about 10km) and two 3.5km tunnels under the sea. He said permission for projects across all states, which have been stalled due to environmental clearance, will be worked out soon.

"We will work out a way so that all projects which are important for the country's development can be carried out without causing any harm to nature and the environment," said Javadekar.