Aarey Colony: 2,141 tress chopped off so far in the region says MMRCL

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation has issued a statement after the Supreme Court ordered status quo be maintained on the cutting of the trees in the Aarey region of Mumbai on Monday, October 7. The MMRC has decided to stop the tree felling activity at Metro-3 car shed in Aarey Milk Colony as per SC order and other works will continue.

'Other works to continue at the site'

“We respect the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed today. No future tree felling activity at the car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony will be undertaken. Other works, including clearing of already felled trees, will continue at the site”, said MMRCL spokesperson after the order of the Supreme Court.

Elaborating on the development, MMRCL spokesperson stated, “Following the decision of the Hon’ble High Court on 4/10/19 upholding the permission of the Tree Authority the felling of 2,185 trees was undertaken on October 4 and 5, 2019 and as on date 2,141 trees have been felled. These will be cleared from the site and subsequent construction activities will be carried out.”

READ | Aarey Colony: Prakash Ambedkar welcomes Supreme Court verdict

READ | Shiv Sena responds to SC's Aarey status quo, says 'sign of relief'

MMRCL: 23,846 trees already planted

The spokesperson further stated that “As of today, MMRCL has already planted 23,846 trees and additionally distributed 25,000 saplings as part of its green initiatives. The work on the project has already been delayed by over 6 months on account of the legal and other impediments. We still expect to meet the deadline”. Read MMRC’s official statement here:

Javadekar refused to comment on the verdict

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar refused to comment on the Aarey forest verdict by the Apex court on October 7. The Supreme Court has put a stay on the felling of trees on Monday, until the further hearing of the case on October 21. When asked about the Aarey Forest verdict, the Environment Minister refused to comment on the verdict. Furthermore, he stated that the Supreme Court had already presented its verdict in the case.

READ | Aarey Colony: Section 144 till Tuesday morning, after SC's status quo

READ | Petitioner thanks Supreme Court for immediate intervention on Aarey