State govt to hold hearing on Metro Bhavan online

Owing to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, the state is looking to conduct an online public hearing on the proposed 27-storey Metro Bhavan in Aarey colony.

Owing to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, the state is looking to conduct an online public hearing on the proposed 27-storey Metro Bhavan in Aarey colony.

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The state invited suggestions and objections, on the change in land-use for 2.03 hectare (ha) of land in the contested Aarey area from green zone to ‘Metro Bhavan and Metro rail allied users’ last year in August .

In February, HT reported that despite 2,563 objections filed by citizens, the state is yet to conduct a hearing on the issue.

“We are looking to conduct the hearing next week, after which we will submit a report to the state government,” said AB Patil, deputy director of town planning.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is executing the Metro lines , planned a central operation and control centre on the 2-ha plot at Aarey. The basement-plus-27-floor building will be constructed at ₹1,033 crore.

The decision to construct Metro Bhavan in Aarey also stands on a sticky ground for the current regime.

After assuming office in November 2019, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray stalled the Metro-3 car-shed construction at Aarey, stating that no more trees will be cut in the green lung for the project.

However, the state did not made its stance clear on the Metro Bhavan plan.

Environmentalist Zoru Bhathena, in his objection to the proposed building said no land-use change can be proposed in a green zone without the Centre’s prior permission.

“MMRDA has hectares and hectares of its own vacant land across Mumbai, which can be used to build the Bhavan. There is no need to destroy a natural area for the purpose,” he said.