India, June 21 -- The extension of the Eastern Freeway between Chedda Nagar and Anand Nagar in Thane has received Tree Authority clearance, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) stating that 320 trees will be felled and 386 transplanted.

The MMRDA has claimed that design changes in the project's alignment have helped reduce the environmental impact and save 949 trees along the corridor.

"A total of 1,655 trees fall within the project corridor. Under the original plan, a substantial number of these trees were likely to be affected. However, to minimize the environmental impact, we revised the alignment and structural design and as a result, 949 trees will be retained and protected at their existing locations, ...