Thackeray seeks Bhide's transfer over Aarey row

Mumbai: The tiff between Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) managing director Ashwini Bhide and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray over the decision to remove over 2000 trees from Aarey to make way for the Metro 3 car shed does not seem to be ending.

The Thackeray scion on Tuesday demanded the transfer of Ms Bhide, an IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, for failing to protect the Aarey forests.

Without taking her name, Mr Thackeray said that the government must transfer officers who do not love Mumbai. “Only those officers who love and care for the city must be deployed here,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Thackeray taunted Ms Bhide for her earlier comment that ‘non-technical’ person cannot suggest where the car shed should be located.

“Yes, we are not consultants. But why are those who were hired as consultants not suggesting alternative land for the car shed,” he questioned.

The comment, which was made at a presentation on August 27, was presumably aimed at Mr Thackeray, whose party had suggested Kanjurmarg as an alternative to Aarey for building the Metro 3 car shed.

Mr Thackeray also alleged that the MMRCL has been launching projects without taking people’s complaints and demands into consideration.

Meanwhile, Mr Thackeray, along with few environmental experts prepared a presentation on the animals living in the vicinity. “We do not oppose the metro project. But the proposed car shed at Aarey will not only claim hundreds of trees but also pose a threat to biodiversity,” he claimed.

 “We will not allow anyone to touch Aarey as the car shed will destroy the ‘food chain’ (food for birds especially those which migrate from other places) in the vicinity,” he added.

The Thackeray scion also alleged that the MMRCL has been continuing with the project without taking people’s complaints into consideration.