While environmentalits are making persistent efforts to save as many trees from the ramifications of upcoming metro project in Mumbai, the ever-increasing numbers seem worrisome. In the same light, 578 trees have been proposed to be chopped down for the initial stations of Metro line-III, adjoining Colaba to SEEPZ.
The fore stated number of trees have been proposed for four initial stations of Metro-III, that is, Churchgate, Vidhan Sabha, Hutatma Chowk, CST Metro and for construction of storage yard at Cuffe Parade near the World Trade Center. However, the figure is estimated to increase as the number of trees meant to be axed for Cuffe Parade Metro Station is still undetermined.
Earlier this month, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had approached the Tree Authority of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to seek permission to clear 578 trees for the initial stations of Metro-III line. According to the public notice issued by the BMC, the maximum number of trees will be affected to make way for the Vidhan Sabha Metro Station among four of these areas which counts to 183, wherein 86 of them will be transplanted.
Meanwhile, the BMC maintains that the number of trees are yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, Zoru Bhathena, a Tree-activist had told Afternoon D&C; that the aggravating figure has been finalised in a hearing before the Tree Authority held on December 7. “I was shocked to see that I was the sole person who had come to object the proposal. There were Superintendent of Garden department, Mr. Pardeshi and Assistant of Superintendent, Tushar Shinde in the meeting and the rest were from the Mumbai Metro. I had asked them to give me report on the Cuffe Parade Metro Station as well but I have still not received any information, but I fear that it will add more trees to the list,” said Zoru Bhathena, citizen and activist.
It was earlier reported that over 460 trees have been proposed to be cut for the Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro corridor (Metro II-A). The tree authority had already granted permission to cut 20 trees between Kandivali and Dahisar for the same.