High Court Criticises Metro-3 Over Tree Replanting Lapses

A special committee of the Bombay High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (MMRCL) lack of progress in replanting trees, as required by previous court orders. The committee noted that only 724 of the 3,093 trees cut down to facilitate the construction of the Metro-3 stations from Colaba to Seepz have been replanted across 18 of the 28 station areas.

This revelation underscores significant non-compliance with environmental restoration mandates. The Maharashtra Legal Service Cooperation Department has been directed to undertake site visits to assess the current state of tree planting and to resolve ongoing issues. MMRCL has asserted that 36,000 trees have been planted and are being maintained, as reported to the special committee led by Justice Revati Dere and Justice Sarang Kotwal. However, the committee remains unconvinced, particularly in light of MMRCL’s failure to comply with orders to geotag all newly planted trees.

The committee’s persistent frustration is evident in its call for the presence of the project and technology director, along with the managing director of MMRCL, at the next hearing. They are expected to provide a detailed explanation for the slow pace of replantation efforts and the lack of progress in geotagging the trees. The committee warned that failure to address these shortcomings could lead to stringent directives, aimed at ensuring compliance. MMRCL’s counsel, however, managed to secure an additional opportunity for the corporation to meet the court’s expectations.

The company now faces an imminent deadline to fulfil its obligations under the environmental guidelines set forth for the Metro-3 project. This situation brings to the forefront the broader debate about balancing urban infrastructure development with environmental sustainability. As Mumbai’s urban landscape continues to evolve rapidly, such conflicts between ecological preservation and developmental goals are likely to intensify, necessitating a more proactive approach from both developers and policymakers to mitigate environmental impacts effectively.