No tree cutting in Aarey colony, only branches trimmed: MMRCL to Supreme Court
MMRCL filed an affidavit at the Supreme Court saying no trees are being cut for the construction of car shed at Aarey, and only branches were pruned and weed and bushes were removed
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Mumbai, August 6: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) told the Supreme Court that no trees have been cut in Aarey colony, Mumbai, after October 2019.
The SC was hearing an application that alleged authorities have resumed cutting down trees in Aarey colony. Mehta said some bushes were there which have been cleared and some branches were trimmed so that vehicles could pass on an approach road there.
"Suffice it to say that as stated by the concerned respondent, no further trees have been cut since the order dated October 7, 2019, and shall not be cut in any manner till the next date of hearing," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on August 10.
The apex court in 2019 had taken suo motu cognisance of a letter petition addressed to the then Chief Justice of India by a law student seeking a stay on the felling of trees in Aarey.
The top court restrained authorities from cutting more trees in Aarey after the solicitor general had submitted on behalf of the state of Maharashtra that no further trees will be cut.
The tree cutting in Aarey colony has been opposed by green activists and residents.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for MMRCL, told a bench headed by Justice U U Lalit that he had made a statement before the apex court in 2019 that no further cutting of trees will be done for a metro car shed in Aarey colony and after that, no trees have been cut there.
Mehta told the bench, "There is a statement which I had made that there will not be any further cutting of trees and I have filed an affidavit today that thereafter, there has never been any cutting of trees."
The SC was hearing an application that alleged authorities have resumed cutting down trees in Aarey colony. Mehta said some bushes were there which have been cleared and some branches were trimmed so that vehicles could pass on an approach road there.
"That trimming took place. That is what I have said on the affidavit. No tree cutting is going on," he said. The bench said pending further consideration, no specific interim directions are called for in view of stand taken in the affidavit filed on behalf of corporation.
The apex court in 2019 had taken suo motu cognisance of a letter petition addressed to the then Chief Justice of India by a law student seeking a stay on the felling of trees in Aarey.
The top court restrained authorities from cutting more trees in Aarey after the solicitor general had submitted on behalf of the state of Maharashtra that no further trees will be cut.
The tree cutting in Aarey colony has been opposed by green activists and residents.