India, Feb. 6 -- Despite strong opposition from local residents, fisherfolk and environmental activists, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has cleared a proposal to construct an all-weather, multi-cargo, greenfield deepwater port at Murbe in Palghar district, a project that will require the removal of up to 4,859 mangroves.

The port will be developed by a special-purpose vehicle formed by JSW Infrastructure, a subsidiary of the JSW Group. The company received a letter of intent from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) in October 2024 to develop, operate, manage and maintain the facility.

The proposal was cleared at an MCZMA meeting on January 19, the minutes of which were uploaded online on February 2, even as l...