The honourable Supreme Court on Monday said the construction of Metro Shed in the Aarey Forest can continue. Though they are not stopping the construction of Metro shed project in Mumbai’s prominent green lung Aarey Colony. The court further ordered that no tress will further be cut.
Earlier, the Supreme Court in its hearing on October 7 had ordered the Maharashtra government to not cut any more trees in the Aarey area. The felling of trees had faced strong opposition from green activists and local residents.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the civic body BMC, assured the bench that no further tree felling is being done in Aarey colony and complete status quo is being maintained following apex court’s last order. Defending the construction of Metro shed project for expansion of Metro services in the city, Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said seven lakh vehicles are off the roads in Delhi because of metro services. It helps in cutting air pollution.
After hearing the arguments presented by legal representatives, the SC bench clarified that there is no stay on the metro project and the stay order is only limited to the felling of trees in Aarey colony.
The Supreme Court has also asked the Maharashtra government to maintain a status quo and also file a report on the status of saplings that they have planted. A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta has sought a status report with pictures on plantation, transplantation and felling of trees in Aarey colony area of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The MMRC had started felling of trees after the High Court had rejected petitions challenging the felling of 2,464 trees from Aarey Milk Colony to make way for a car shed for Mumbai Metro Line – 3. Activists who protested the felling of the trees were arrested but later released on bail.
The top court posted the matter for further hearing on November 15.
Also Read: Aarey Protest: No more trees to be axed orders Supreme Court