Mumbai: Although the special bench constituted by the Supreme Court of India (SC) on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to maintain status quo till the next date of hearing in respect of cutting of trees at the Metro 3 car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony, official sources disclosed that out of the sanctioned felling of 2,185 trees by the Tree Authority, 2141 trees have already been felled. In a statement issued here, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) stated that the felled trees will be cleared from the site and subsequent construction activities will be carried out.
Sources argue that with the authorities having cleared the requisite trees permitted by the Tree Authority of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), there is no further need for the MMRCL to cut any more trees. With the requisite trees having been cut for which due permission was granted, the construction work on the Metro 3 car shed can begin once the site is cleared of the felled trees, sources added. The status quo is in respect of cutting of trees and not on commencing construction work, sources pointed out.
In a statement issued the MMRCL spokesperson said “we respect the order of the Hon’ble 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 already felled trees, will continue at the site”, said MMRCL spokesperson after the order of Hon’ble Supreme Court.
The MMRCL spokesperson further said, “following the decision of the Hon’ble 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 5, 2019 and as on date 2,141 trees have been felled. These will be cleared from site and subsequent construction activities will be carried out”.
The spokesperson further stated that, “as of today, MMRCL has already planted 23,846 trees and additionally distributed 25,000 saplings as part of its green initiatives. The work on the project has already been delayed by over 6 months on account of the legal and other impediments. We still expect to meet the deadline”.
