BJP terms Uddhav govt 'weird' for stay on Aarey car shed as BMC approves Metro 2A tree-cut

On Saturday, BJP fired a salvo at Shiv Sena over Tree Authority of BMC approving felling of more than 150 trees for Mumbai Metro 2A project. At present, Sena is in power in BMC having its own Mayor Kishori Pednekar. Pointing this out, former BJP Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya reminded Shiv Sena that it was Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghi government which stayed construction of Mumbai Metro 3 car shed in Aarey to “save trees”. Claiming that this h caused a loss of Rs.1,000 crore, he questioned Sena for not lifting ban on car shed construction.  

Kirit Somaiya remarked, “ Tree Authority of Shiv Sena-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has given permission to remove 508 trees for Mumbai Metro 2A project. 162 trees will be cut. On or hand, it has been 100 days since construction of Metro car shed in Aarey has been halted in name of ‘saving trees’. re has been a loss of Rs. 1000 crore but ban has not been lifted. Uddhav, your government is weird.” 

Re: In Wake Of Govt Report, Fnavis Recalls 'wider Public Interest' In Aarey Tree Felling

Re: SC Restrains Maharashtra Govt & MMRDA From Cutting Trees For Metro Line 4 Project

Shiv Sena h previously opposed felling of trees

construction of 18-km long Mumbai Metro 2A (Dahisar-DN Nagar) project began in October 2016. In 2019, BMC h issued a public notice asking residents to submit ir suggestions and objections on possibility of cutting trees. It is expected that trees will be removed from Oshiwara, Kandivali, and Dahisar. Interestingly, Shiv Sena along with NCP and Congress h opposed proposal for felling of trees on last two occasions.  

Re: Raveena Tandon Expresses Displeasure Over Metro At Aarey Amid Leopard Population Decline

Row over Metro car shed

Widespre protests h been going on to protest against  Aarey land being used for purpose of building a car shed for Mumbai Metro 3. As Bombay High Court upheld permission granted by Brihanmumbai Mumbai Corporation’s (BMC) Tree Authority in October, over 2,185 trees were razed overnight. This led to a petition in SC that ordered a freeze on cutting of any more trees till furr orders.

One of first decisions of MVA government was to stop work of  Aarey metro car shed project. Maharashtra CM asserted that a single leaf of Aarey would not be cut. Subsequently, report submitted by a 4-member panel constituted by MVA government in January 2020 recommended that Aarey was best possible site for construction of car shed as or alternative places were not financially viable. 

Re: 'Save-Aarey' Options Closing For CM Uddhav, BJP Makes Metro Appeal Claiming Rs 600 Cr Loss