Most Metro-hit trees dead: Report

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has not carried out the transplantation of trees affected by the Metro-3 project efficiently, revealed a report by the committee monitoring the transplantation process.

The Bombay high court-appointed committee remarked that many transplanted trees did not show signs of sprouting, while the metro rail body has also delayed geo-tagging the affected trees, as recommended by the committee.

This is despite the MMRC’s claims that it had approached a renowned arborist from Singapore for consultation and that the metro rail body has adequate expertise for transplantation. “No doubt, each and every tree cannot be transplanted by using the machine. However wherever it is feasible, authorities ought to have explored the possibility of hiring the modern machines. Six months period only for the purpose of communication with manufacturers of such machines and waiting for their demonstration is nothing else but killing time (sic),” read the report.

“No sufficient reason as to why the geo tagging was not done for a period of six months, is coming forth from the Metro Corporation,” it added.

While the committee stated that the transpl-antation sites are properly fenced by the MMRC, it also noted that more than 50 per cent of the trees did not survive. It was also observed that the dead trees are still at the site and have not be-en removed, which could prove detrimental to the public and surrounding trees. On the other hand, the trees that survived h-ave grown fully, while some are bearing fruit and flowers.

When The Asian Age tried to contact the MMRC, it was unavailable for comment.

“Despite the directions by the committee which were issued six months ago, the MMRC has failed to take steps to geo-tag the trees. It is important because how else can one know which trees have been transplanted or planted as compensatory afforestation by the Metro authority,” said Zoru Bhathena, tree activist and petitioner.