20K object to Metro-3 car shed in Aarey

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has so far has received nearly 20,000 suggestions and objections from environmentalists and civic activists over the proposed construction of a car shed for Metro-III at Aarey Colony. The final date to send the feedback is October 10.

The civic body had sought public opinion on the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC)’s proposal to construct a car shed in Aarey Colony, which includes the removal of 2,702 trees. The Metro-III project will run from Colaba to Seepz at Andheri.

There are 3,691 trees on the site, of which 2,702 will have to be removed. These include 2,238 that will have to be cut and 464 that will have to be transplanted.

However, environmentalists and civic activists have reacted strongly to the proposal saying it will destroy the tree cover at Aarey Colony, which is considered as the city’s green lungs.

Stalin Dayanand of Vanashakti said, “Our main objection is to the construction of the  Metro car shed in Aarey. It can be constructed at any other place in the city and there is no need to damage the green cover in such a large quantity. We have also proposed seven places in the city for this.

“But despite this, the government is adamant on constructing the Metro carshed at Aarey Colony. We will oppose this in the hearing.”

Jitendra Pardeshi, BMC’s garden superintendent, said that around 20,000 suggestions and objections have been received so far. “The majority of them say that Metro car shed should be shifted to another place and not in Aarey Colony to save trees.

“The hearing for suggestions and objections will be held on October 10. After this, we will present the opinion of both – environmentalists and MMRC – before the tree authority, which will take a final call,” he said.