Close to 120 trees that fall on the railway line between Wadala and Kurla might be chopped off to enable the construction of the third line project of the Central Railways
Mumbai : Close to 120 trees that fall on the railway line between Wadala and Kurla might be chopped off to enable the construction of the third line project of the Central Railways, but only about 40 per cent of these will be replanted.
Mumbaikars have welcomed this move, for even though the city will see a 100 or so fewer tress, it will see a major development initiative finally start off.
The third line project that will run between Kalyan and Navi Mumbai will predictably make commuting simpler for approximately 4-5 lakh passengers who travel daily between Vashi, Nerul, Panvel and Mumbai city.
Vikas Todkari, Deputy Superintendent of the Garden and Tree committee of F (North) ward area, said, “The construction of this railway line between Wadala and Kurla is part of the project to set up a new line to Navi Mumbai. This line will further go up to Panvel in the future.”
Subhash Gupta, a railway expert said, “This line will be part of the Harbour line, which is already over burdened. It will be a blessing for Mumbai, and we have been demanding this for very long.”
Todkari said, ‘We have received a positive response from people, even though this development means a lot of slum resettlements and cutting down of trees. People have been calling and agreeing to the trees being cut, as long as the much-awaited development is reached quickly.”
The proposal will be heard by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Tree Authority in the first week of June, and activists and citizens are hopeful it will get passed without any hassle.
