HC gives green signal but tells MMRCL to be cautious, and to ensure proper tree transplantation
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed an application moved by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) Limited, seeking to cut mangroves at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area, to build the Metro line-3 station there.
A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice MS Sonak, while granting permission, said, "It's often seen that after submitting the undertaking, the authorities don't abide by it and trees once replanted later die. We expect proper compliance is done."
The bench's observation came after it went through the undertaking given by the MMRCL in another petition seeking a stay on tree cutting for the construction of stations. MMRCL has stated that it will replant as many trees as possible after work is completed at the same location or within the vicinity. The authority will also maintain the trees for a period of three years.
The court also asked authorities to be cautious and ensure proper tree transplantation procedure is followed. It said, "We have seen in Nagpur that when the authority wanted to widen the road, trees were cut improperly, that led to a loss of a lot of trees."
However, MMRCL advocate Kiran Bagalia assured the court that proper care will be taken to ensure the protection of green cover in the city. MMRDA sought permission to destroy 108 mangroves in the BKC area.
The plea was moved because a previous order of the High Court mandated that every authority has to take prior permission from the court before chopping down mangroves.
Court order:
The Bombay High Court on May 5 lifted its ban on the Mumbai metro from felling trees for its Metro 3 project between Colaba and Seepz.
MMRCL has stated that it will replant as many trees as possible after work is completed at the same location or within the vicinity.
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