Cutting of 2.8k trees will be offset by reduced carbon emissions: MMRCL

METRO-3 ‘Line will reduce 6.6 lakh vehicle trips, 99 lakh kg carbon dioxide per year’

In response to the current hurdles in the Metro III (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) line, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) highlighted the positive aspects and benefits of its project on Thusday. The MMRCL claimed the project which would lead to cutting of more than 2,801 trees but would reduce 6.6 lakh vehicle trips and 99 lakh kilograms of carbon dioxide per year by 2041.

In a new revelation, this Metro line will have 31 trains of eight cars instead of the earlier 35 trains with six cars. S.K. Gupta, the project director of MMRC, said, “This will help us to add the number of trains with time instead of adding the number of cars. It will also help reduce the crowd load as it will increase the frequency.”

Considering the development of technology, this Metro line will initially have a driver and gradually shift to a driverless mode of transport. Citizens have been hit by the current shift to a cashless economy, therefore there will be an automated fare collection system. There will be tie ups with various banks to issue various transaction cards that can be used for purchasing a ticket apart from tokens and season tickets.

As the Metro line consists of 26 underground stations, 2,156 families will be affected excluding those at Girgaon and Kalbadevi where 651 families have been already affected. Over 900 families have been rehabilitated to Kurla and Chakala in Andheri while the remaining 1,256 families will be rehabilitated in the next six months as per the MMRC officers.

Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRC, said, “It is not possible to construct a Metro line without cutting a single tree. We have tried to reduce the damage to the environment and this project has been planned and approved by both the state and central government so we will go ahead with the work.”

The first segment which is a major portion of the construction of the Metro will commence on March 7. The construction of tunnels at various places will begin from October. According to the officers, there is a need to reduce the load on suburban trains and the number of private vehicles on roads.

Tackling the environmental damage, the MMRCL officers have promised to plant three trees for one tree that will be cut.

The tree cover will be restored at the stations after completion of the work along with voluntary initiatives for planting.

As far as the legal battle where the court has given a stay on cutting of trees is concerned, Bhide added, “Our legal stance is strong so we will tackle the legal issues and we also hope that the citizens will support us.”

In a new revelation, this Metro line will have 31 trains of eight cars instead of the earlier 35 trains with six cars, in an effort to further reduce congestion.