India, July 26 -- More than 10 hectares of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park could be affected by a proposal to widen State Highway 42 between Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel and construct Metro Line 10 along the stretch, raising fresh concerns over the future of the city's leopard habitat. The proposal comes despite nearly 40 leopards reportedly being killed by speeding vehicles and trucks on the highway over the past decade.

The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has submitted plans to widen the highway to up to 60 metres from Gaimukh to Fountain Hotel on Ghodbunder Road. Metro Line 10, from Gaimukh and Bhaindarpada village to Kashimira Naka, is also planned along the route.

The metro line was earlier proposed to have an underground...