The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the felling of 177 trees from the Aarey forest to develop a metro car shed in compliance with the tree authority's decision of March 15.
It, however, imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) for attempting to "overreach" the Supreme Court order for seeking to fell more trees in violation of the court's order.
Mumbai Metro must be penalised but a public project cannot be brought to a halt
A Bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala held that the Mumbai Metro must be penalised but a public project cannot be brought to a halt. It said: "Stay on tree felling will lead to the project work being halted."
The fine so recovered will be deposited with the Chief Conservator of Forests, the order said.
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