Show green nod for SoBo metro stations: Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday directed the state government and Mumbai Metro-rail Corporation limited (MMRCL) to prove whether they have obtained permission from the Union ministry of environment to construct metro stations near Churchgate, Cuffe Parade and Hutatma Chowk.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Neena Verma and Pervin Jehangir who alleged that 5,000 trees would be cut for the metro-3 projects, which will be constructed from Colaba to Seepz. The HC has kept the matter for hearing on March 16.

On Friday, the petitioner’s lawyer Janak Dwarkadas had argued that the MoEF had denied permission to construct metro station on the above three locations because it falls under the CRZ 3 area. “Still they want to construct metro-3 line there,” Mr Dwarkadas said.

The MMRCL counsel had argued that “to construct metro three line, state has not required to take permission from the ministry of environment.

After that the division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Girish Kulkarni directed the government and MMRCL to show permission’s of MOEF.

The court also said if state doesn’t required permission from MOEF then they will have to produce documents supporting to it. She further said it is environmental issue and we are concerned about it. MMRCL counsel Aspi Chinoy told the HC that the company is ready to plant more trees than those that would be cut for project.