Aarey activists blame CM for Metro 3 scam
Activists and environmentalists have blamed the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis for allowing the construction of the Metro III (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) car-shed at Aarey Colony. The activists alleged that Fadnavis is condoning this scam by not initiating a probe despite repeated allegations.
The activists, who have been opposing construction work at the only green lung of the city, stated that more land is being allotted for the car-shed. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) denotified 165 hectares of land as Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) under the purpose of metro car-shed construction. While, the Urban Development Department (UDD) converted 33 hectares of land at Aarey Colony from No Development Zone (NDZ) to metro car-shed zone.
The activists have sought information about this denotification but nothing is being revealed. Stalin Dayanand, an activist said, “Why has the MoEF denotified 165 hectares when only 33 hectares was needed? Secondly, there is no information about these165 hectares of land and nobody knows about the area. We have been constantly tweeting to the CM for the past three months but there is no response.”
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) stated that the car depot will be constructed in 22 hectares and the remaining three hectares will be used for the main lines. SK Gupta, director (Projects) of MMRC, had earlier informed, “We have revised the plan and the car depot will be constructed in 22 hectares. 1,073 trees have been saved on five hectares of land. More than 3,000 trees would be affected at Aarey Colony.”
On the contrary, the activists claimed that the MMRC has denied alternative plots for the car-shed. Zoru Bhathena, an activist said, “Both the state government and the MMRC have been changing their statements constantly whether it is related to number of trees or land acquisition. We want to question the CM why he is denying the facts to which we have supporting documents.” The matter is being heard at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) where the activists are fighting.