Police receive 6 complaints against Metro works

Mumbai: As many as six complaints have been lodged with the Aarey Milk Colony police station against the metro work being carried out at Aarey Colony since last week. Residents of Mumbai and Thane have complained that the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT’s) status quo order with respect to Aarey Colony has been violated by carrying out work at the site.

The NGT, in its order dated May 14, had restrained the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) from dumping debris, cutting trees and reclaiming land during the pendency of the application. “Despite the NGT’s fresh orders, the MMRC is still continuing work there hence we were compelled to lodge official complaints of violation. We also have photographic evidence,” said Amrita Bhattacharya, member of the Aarey Conservation Group.

Apart from Ms. Bhattacharya, five other complaints have been lodged between August 31 and September 9. Meanwhile, the MMRC has refuted allegations stating, “No activity is being carried out violating NGT order.”

Following the 2015 petition by NGO Vanashakti, seeking to declare Aarey as a forest, the NGT had ordered that same year that status quo be maintained until such time the final decision was taken. The metro rail body implementing metro line 3 had denied any stay on work at the 33 hectare plot proposed for the metro car shed, and started work.

“The MMRC has moved an application in the Supreme Court, seeking relief from the NGT order. If there is no stay, why move an application?” added Ms. Bhattacharya.