MNS joins ‘save Aarey movement’
After Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has now joined the bandwagon of ‘Save Aarey Movement’ with Raj Thackeray’s son Amit visiting the Aarey Colony along with his mother Sharmila who assured activists that the party won’t allow cutting of trees for Metro III. She also suggested to consider Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and salt pan lands for the Metro car shed saying these lands are already vacant and unused.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed a metro car shed in the Aarey Colony, for which about 2500 trees needs to be chopped. Shiv Sena has already opposed the chopping of trees for metro II car shed.
For the first time, Sharmila and Amit came out and participated in the protest, which came as a surprise for the activists and also boosted moral of party workers.
Sharmila said, “MNS will not tolerate cutting of trees. If the MMRDA is going to plant trees over the underground car shed, then it should be declared as a green zone. The state government has stayed the work for a month. However, after one month if the work will start, MNS will oppose it.”
“The government authorities know where are vacant lands available and the government has to propose such projects on these vacant and unused land. There are hectares of vacant land owned by MbPT and salt pan commissioner. These lands can be used for the car shed,” she suggested.
She also warned the civic administration that her party would not allow development on the Aarey Colony land by chopping trees as proposed in the new draft Development Plan (DP).