The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received around 82,000 objections to the proposal, which was invited on June 30, to cut over 2,000 trees in Aarey colony for the Metro 3 car depot. Around 500 people attended a public hearing conducted by the tree authority of the BMC on Monday to register their protest.
Jitendra Pardeshi, superintendent of gardens, BMC, said, “When we had invited suggestions in October 2018, we had received nearly 40,000 emails. Till 11 a.m. on Monday, we got around 82,000 emails. The majority are of the opinion that the depot should not be built at this site.”
Among those present at the meeting were residents, activists, representatives of political outfits, and members of the tribal communities living in Aarey colony.
Activist Zoru Bhathena said the number of trees that were proposed to make way for the project has varied over the years, while the plot has largely remained the same. “The environment impact assessment report prepared by the Metro authorities in 2012 said 1,652 trees were found on the proposed plot. However, in 2014, the tree authority issued a notice for the removal of 2,298 trees, of which only 254 trees were proposed to be cut and 2,044 were to be transplanted.”
According to the proposal that was discussed on Monday, there were 3,691 trees at the car depot site, of which 2,238 trees will be felled and 464 trees will be transplanted.
Mr. Bhathena said the Metro executing agencies have had a very poor record of transplanting trees, and that planting trees can never compensate for an age-old tree. “There is absolutely no need for a Metro depot at this site, which is the crux of the issue.”
Aashish Patil, a resident of Aarey colony, demanded a joint inspection of the site by members of the tree authority and local residents, and claimed that many trees on the site had already been cut. “We need to take permissions from multiple authorities to trim a tree, how do they get away with this?”
Manisha Dhinde, who lives in Morpada in Aarey colony, said the Metro depot was the first of several projects being planned in Aarey, and asked the authorities if any thought is given to their livelihood.
In addition to the Metro car shed in Aarey, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has planned to build a multi-storey building, which will be the home to all Metro corridors, while the BMC is looking to expand the zoo.
