Former environment minister and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who led the protest against the Shinde-Fadnavis government’s decision to develop a metro car shed in Aarey Colony, said, ‘’This is a fight for Mumbai, fight for life. We fought for the forest and to protect our tribals. When we were here no trees were uprooted. Whatever anger they (the Maharashtra government) have against us should not be taken out on the city. Jungles and the environment need to be protected, climate change is upon us.’’
He defended the MVA government’s move to shift the metro car shed to Kanjurmarg where an integrated car shed would have come for metro 3,4,6 and 14 which would have saved Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 crore.
‘’Aarey is a unique forest within our city. Uddhav Thackeray ji declared 808 acres of Aarey as Forest and the car shed must move out. Our human greed and lack of compassion cannot be allowed to destroy biodiversity in our city,’’ said Aaditya who was joined by Mumbaikars in the protest. Protesters raised slogans against the new government's proposal.
Aaditya urged the Shinde-Fadnavis government to 'reconsider its decision. ‘’Don’t cast the hate for us, on to our beloved Mumbai,’’ he noted. He argued that Aarey is quite important for the city which is considered a ‘’green lung.’’
‘’It wasn't only about 2700+ trees but also about sustainable development and better planning. This is about Mumbai’s development and we are staying here instead of being handed over a badly planned project that destroys Mumbai's Aarey Forest," he added.
Already Shiv Sena’s allies NCP and Congress have strongly opposed the Shinde-Fadnavis government’s go-ahead for the development of a metro car shed in Aarey Colony.
