Shiv Sena-BJP spar over tree cutting for Metro-3

Mumbai: Differences between the two saffron allies — the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — came to the fore again at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over the proposal to axe 33 trees for the Metro-3 project and transplant them elsewhere.

While the Sena opposed the proposal saying it was tabled at the last minute giving them no chance to study it, the BJP said it was done deliberately to oppose development works.

The Tree Authority has proposed to cut 38 trees and transplant 33 trees on the roads at Girgaum and Kalbadevi for construction of the Metro railway station boxes. The proposal was not there in the agenda but was tabled at the fag end of the meeting, which infuriated the members.

Despite repeated pleas from BMC chief Ajoy Mehta for approval of the proposal, they decided to hold it back. While the BJP members supported the proposal, all the other members, including the Shiv Sena, did not want it to be discussed in a hurry. “How can they bring such an important proposal during the fag end of the meeting?” asked senior Sena corporator Trishna Vishwasrao.

He added, “We are not against development work but it was a deliberate attempt to push through the proposal without knowing its implications.”

Nationalist Congress Party’s Abhijeet Chavan said that the Tree Authority should take members to the site where the trees would be chopped. According to the civic officials, the advertisement for cutting of trees was published on July 22, where people were asked to send their feedback.

A hearing for the same was conducted at the garden superintendent’s office on July 28. However, it was not attended by anyone and the BMC also did not receive any objection during the seven-day notice period. BJP members Niranjan Shetty and Kamlesh Shah had made a site visit and had given their consent for the chopping of trees. Mr Shetty said, “The Metro will improve the city’s infrastructure. The Sena and other members are deliberately delaying it.” The Sena has opposed the Mumbai Metro-III project saying that it would badly affect the Marathi speaking people, who live in Girgaum area in large numbers.