SC allows Mumbai Metro to remove 177 trees from Aarey forest

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) for attempting to overreach the top court's order in the Aarey forest tree case.

The apex court also levied a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Mumbai Metro for seeking to fell more trees in violation of the court's order.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed Mumbai Metro to comply with the tree authority's decision of March 15, 2023 and fell 177 trees from the Aarey forest to develop a car shed.

"MMRCL shall deposit 10 lakhs to the Chief Conservator of Forests and the conservator should ensure all afforestation as directed is completed. The conservator shall ensure that planting of trees direction is followed," observed CJI Chandrachud.

Pulling up authorities for overeaching court order, the CJI said, "You people think you can Supreme Court for a ride. You cannot overreach the court. Officer of MMRCL should also be sent to jail. Ask CEO of MMRCL to be present in court."

"We request the director of IIT Bombay to depute a team for the purpose of verifying compliance. A report should be submitted to this court in three weeks," the CJI added.

Last year, the SC had asked MMRCL to pursue its application before the Tree Authority to cut 84 trees at Aarey forest for the metro car shed project.

Spread over 1,800 acres, Aarey Forest is often referred to as the 'Lung of Mumbai'. The Aarey forest is home to a variety of trees, 300 different animal species including leopards. Environmentalists fear that cutting down these trees will have a long time effect and cast its shadow on the future of Mumbai.

In 2019, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government had proposed that the Metro car shed would be constructed at suburban Kanjurmarg and not Aarey Colony.

However, the Eknath Shinde-led state government, which came to power in 2021 reversed the decision and gave its nod for the construction of car shed in the Aarey Colony only.