In yet another blow to the Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Shinde-Fadnavis government on Thursday vacated the stay granted by the previous government on the development of metro car shed in Aarey Colony. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis strongly defended the government’s decision saying that the metro car shed development and the completion of Colaba Seepz Metro 3 are important for Mumbaikars as it will provide them relief in commuting and also help reduce pollution. Shinde said nearly 17 lakh commuters will travel in the metro.
Fadnavis said 25% of the car shed has been constructed and the balance will be completed soon adding that the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal had given clearance for the same site. Besides, the land was selected by the Congress-NCP government and later it was zeroed in on by the BJP led government after carrying out the comprehensive environment appraisal.
Fadnavis accused the former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray of staying the metro car shed development in Aarey Colony due to ego issues saying that its shifting to Kanjurmarg was not economically and financially viable.He reminded that the committee appointed by his government comprising senior bureaucrats Ajoy Mehta and Nitin Kareer had strongly recommended that metro car shed be developed in Aarey Colony.
Further, Fadnavis said the committee headed by the additional chief secretary Manoj Saunak appointed by the MVA government had observed that the shifting of metro car shed to Kanjurmarg would lead to cost escalation by Rs 20,000 crore and it would take 4 years for construction. ‘’The project of Rs 22,000 crore would have faced time and cost escalation as per the Saunik committee’s report,’’ he added.
Referring to the agitation launched by the environmentalists against the metro car development in Aarey Colony, Fadnavis said their motive needs to be understood. However, he noted that the environmentalists need should continue to put up their views which will be given due importance.
The government's decision is important when Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress and a number of citizens' organisations and environmentalists have opposed it on the grounds that Aarey is a forest and the metro car shed development there will severely damage the key species of trees and animals.
Former CM Uddhav Thackeray recently made a fervent appeal to the Shinde Fadnavis government not to go ahead with the Metro-3 car shed project in Aarey Colony which was declared a reserved forest by the previous MVA regime. He asked the BJP not to betray Mumbai on the car shed issue like it "betrayed" him in power politics.
On the other hand, former environment minister Aaditya Thackeray claimed that the metro car shed project will further escalate the issue of flooding of Mithi river. He also justified the protest against the project saying it was the fight for Mumbai and life.
However, Fadnavis countered Aaditya’s claim saying that floods in Mithi river was not caused by the car shed but because of the illegal constructions flourished with the consent of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation.
‘’Aditya Thackeray was the Environment Minister but that does not mean that he has done all the studies. All permissions have been granted for the car shed after necessary studies,’’ said Fadnavis.
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