HC asks MMRDA for details on tree-felling

The Bombay High Court on Thursday asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to put all details of its proposal of cutting 216 trees falling in the alignment of Line 7 of the Mumbai Metro, before a two judge, High Court-appointed committee constituted to hear grievances in this regard, before going ahead with the felling.

Advocate GW Mattos, appearing for the MMRDA, said, “We have to give details of the trees which will be replanted and their location before the court-appointed committee and accordingly carry on with the metro line’s construction.”

The authority had moved the court seeking permission for felling the trees after a public interest litigation filed by one Zoru Bathena highlighted the issue of the trees suffering from mealybugs. The court had directed authorities to not cut any trees on the Western Urban Road.

Mattos, who appeared for MMRDA, argued that the project was a part of the Pragati Portal of the Office of Prime Minister of India, thus its timely completion must be ensured.

Meanwhile, hearing another petition filed by two trustees of JN Petit institute, the court, with regard to the Metro-3 tunneling work, suggested that it may ask IIT to carry out a structural survey of buildings on DN Road, which houses many heritage buildings. The petition seeks a stay on the ongoing work at the proposed Hutatma Chowk, that it was causing damage to old buildings.