Mumbai: Activist Zoru Bhathena has warned Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) that if it axes eight trees near Eros Theatre in order to construct a temporary shaft to facilitate the removal of Metro muck, she will move the Bombay High Court.
MMRCL is tasked with the underground Metro 3 (Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ) construction work. The disposal of muck is a big challenge. Bhathena pointed out, “Why does MMRCL need a shaft only at Eros cinema to remove the muck? It can be removed at the proposed Vidhan Bhavan metro station, too.
If they continue to axe these trees only for construction of a temporary shaft, then I will move the Bombay High Court.” When this reporter tried to seek the comments of the MMRCL officials on whether they had taken prior permission of the BMC Tree Authority for chopping down these trees, they remained unavailable.
One of the 8 trees that may be felled is an old Banyan tree which is believed to be 150 years old. The MMRCL had told the court that it will fell trees only if had no choice; also, it will replant trees elsewhere and plant new ones once Metro is built.
