Aarey residents and environmentalists have opposed the construction work that the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has begun at Aarey colony for the Metro-3 project.
While MMRC told HT that they had begun construction, Aarey residents filed a complaint with the Aarey police and the Mumbai suburban collector on Friday opposing the work, alleging that the matter was being heard by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
“The MMRC has begun construction for a metro car shed at a 30-hectare plot without submitting any permission from the state pollution board, the civic body or producing documents to prove the change in land use, to either NGT or residents,” said Biju Augustine, Aarey resident who filed the complaint. “We have requested the police and the collector to stop this illegal work at the earliest before the green lung is damaged further.”
On Friday, an excavator machine, a large container, 50 labourers along with MMRC officials and its contractors were present at the proposed site.
MMRC officials said it conducts its activities conforming to the appropriate legal framework. “The state government has handed over this land for car depot. The Metro-3 project is being implemented under the Metro Act. As the metro rail administration, the MMRC is empowered to take up necessary construction activities for Metro project,” said a spokesperson from MMRC.
Acting on the complaint from residents, the suburban collector asked for a site inspection report. “We have taken cognisance of the complaint and a site-inspection report from our sub-divisional officer will reveal whether the land has been handed over by the state and whether permissions have been obtained,” said Deependra Singh Kushwa, Mumbai suburban collector. Officials from the Mumbai police said they will be calling both parties (residents and MMRC officials) for further investigation. “We have asked them to submit all documents that have been presented in court and permissions obtained to start work at Aarey. Once we have these, we will be investigating the entire issue,” said Dnyaneshwar Jawalkar, assistant commissioner of police, Dindoshi division.
{{/usCountry}}Acting on the complaint from residents, the suburban collector asked for a site inspection report. “We have taken cognisance of the complaint and a site-inspection report from our sub-divisional officer will reveal whether the land has been handed over by the state and whether permissions have been obtained,” said Deependra Singh Kushwa, Mumbai suburban collector. Officials from the Mumbai police said they will be calling both parties (residents and MMRC officials) for further investigation. “We have asked them to submit all documents that have been presented in court and permissions obtained to start work at Aarey. Once we have these, we will be investigating the entire issue,” said Dnyaneshwar Jawalkar, assistant commissioner of police, Dindoshi division.
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Reversing BMC’s decision, Maharashtra to reserve land in Aarey Colony for Metro car shed
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