2,141 Trees Cut In Aarey Colony, Mumbai Metro Expects To Meet Project Deadline

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) said on Monday that it respects the Supreme Court ’s decision and no more trees will be cut in Aarey colony . However, the corporation also said that “as of date 2,141 trees have been felled”. 

“We respect the order of the Hon’able Supreme Court passed today. No future tree-felling activity at the car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony will be undertaken. Other works, including clearing of logs of already felled trees, will continue,” a statement by MMRCL said.

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The top court had on Monday restrained authorities from cutting any more trees in Aarey colony for a metro car shed. “Don’t cut anything now,” the special bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan said while hearing a plea against the tree felling. Next hearing is on 21 October.

“Following the decision of the Hon’able High Court on 4/10/19 upholding the permission of the Tree Authority the felling of 2,185 trees was undertaken on October 4 and October 5, 2019 and as on date 2,141 trees have been felled. These will be cleared from the site and subsequent construction activities will be carried out.”

In a statement, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation also claimed that it has planted 23,846 trees and distributed 25,000 saplings as part of its “green initiatives”. 

The MMRCL also said that the work has already been delayed by over six months, but they expect to meet the deadline. 

Union minister Prakash Javadekar had refused to comment on the felling of trees in Aarey colony, saying he would not like to comment on a sub judice matter. 

“The Supreme Court has given a decision on it, so I will not comment on the matter,” he told a press conference on Monday.

(With PTI inputs)