Mumbai: Trees continued to be cut for the Metro III project in Churchgate on Thursday, as residents resumed efforts to save them. Protesters also demanded that Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) produce requisite permissions from the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Residents approached Marine Drive police station around 11 a.m., after a brief exchange with Sandeep Naik, Larsen and Toubro’s project manager for Metro III. Ruchir Bansal, a resident, said, “This morning, we filed another complaint that work in Churchgate needs two permissions: one from the CZMA and the other from the MPCB, which they don’t have. We have mentioned this in our petition before the High Court as well. If they don’t have these permissions, they should not fell trees in Churchgate.”
However, those against the felling of trees in Churchgate are in for disappointment, with both the MPCB and CZMA clarifying that their permission is not needed. Dr. P. Anabalgan, member-secretary, MPCB told The Hindu that the civic body's Tree Authority is concerned with permissions for tree cutting within municipal limits. “The MPCB does not give permissions to cut trees,” he said.
A senior CZMA official, who declined to be named, said the BMC’s Tree Authority looks into permissions for cutting trees within its jurisdiction, and as Churchgate is governed by it, the CZMA’s permission to cut trees is not required.
Residents had also filed a complaint two days ago demanding work be stopped till a two-judge High Court committee is formed to address their grievances. “If trees are cut before the committee is formed, then the Supreme Court order is factious,” residents said.
Mr. Naik maintained it was government project. “We have all necessary permissions. According to a survey by specialists, trees marked yellow cannot be transplanted and need to be cut. However, those marked green will be transplanted to a specified location.”
Naina Pai, who travelled to Churchgate from Goregaon, protested outside Moti Mahal by hugging a tree earmarked for cutting. She was joined by Bandra resident Vikrant Dhote. They both stood hugging the tree for a short while, as Ms. Pai told the workers nearby, “Why are you drinking tea in the shade offered by the trees. Why don’t you have tea while standing in the sun?
Faced with increasing protests, MMRCL had roped in bouncers from Vishal Security Force. “We won’t allow them to cut the trees, come what may. Are they trying to scare us with bouncers?” Mani Gopal Krishnan, AAP convenor for Ville Parle, said before being taken away by the police. Mr. Dhote climbed a tree opposite Vihar restaurant while Ms. Pai stood hugging the tree. While the police took Ms. Pai into custody, Mr. Dhote managed to stay put in the tree for close to an hour. At one point, he even threatened to jump off the tree if it was harmed.
Rustom Warden, a resident, said, “The two trees they have hacked were planted by my grandfather, Justice Vimadalal, back in 1970. I don’t oppose the Metro III project, but I wish the whole process could have been done in a much better way.” Ashwin Nagpal, a resident of Churchgate, said, “I was standing there when a branch fell inside the compound. It hit a part of the building. Shouldn’t they put up a barricade?”
