Supreme Court allows Mumbai Metro to pursue its case to fell 84 trees
Supreme Court allows Mumbai Metro to pursue its case to fell 84 trees for ramp at Aarey metro car shed
The Supreme Court has modified its status quo order on felling trees in the Aarey Colony, allowing the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) to pursue its application before the Tree Authority for permission to cut 84 trees for a ramp at its metro car shed project.
“In such projects involving large outlay of public funds, the court cannot be oblivious to the serious dislocation which will be caused if the public investment which has gone into the project were to be disregarded… Undoubtedly, considerations pertaining to the environment are of concern because all development must, it is well-settled, be sustainable,” a Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and P.S. Narasimha observed in its order.
The court narrated the events which led to the State government’s decision to first accept its Technical Committee report of 2015, which had recommended the realignment of the metro car shed project primarily to Kanjurmarg, and then rescinded it later after receiving a communication from the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs in March 2022.
The letter from the Ministry had reportedly pointed out that the relocation of the project from Aarey to Kanjurmarg would lead to major cost, infrastructure and impact escalations.
The court said, at this stage, the factors represented in the Ministry communication cannot be disregarded. The State government had, after considering the entirety of the issue, restored the metro car shed project for metro line three back to Aarey from Kanjurmarg.
The Bench said it would not be possible to stay the State’s decision now. Besides, the court said a “substantial” number of trees in the area of the proposed depot had already been axed. “As already 2,144 trees were felled for the car depot while 212 trees were felled for the ramp. What is now sought is permission to apply to the Tree Authority for the felling of 84 trees pertaining to the ramp. It needs no emphasis that without a ramp, the work already completed would be of no consequence and be ineffective,” the court reasoned.
Considering the circumstances, the top court concluded that the MMRCL ought to be allowed to proceed with its application before the Tree Authority for permission to cut the 84 trees.
The court said the Tree Authority was at liberty to take an independent decision on the application and determine conditions. The court listed the case for hearing and disposal of the main special leave petitions in the first week of February.
The felling of trees is opposed by green activists and local residents. The case is based on a letter written by law student Rishav Ranjan in 2019 to the Chief Justice of India about the cutting of over 2,600 trees in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony.
The letter said Aarey was an unclassified forest and the felling of trees, robbing Mumbai of its green lungs, was illegal. The Bombay High Court, on October 4, 2019, refused to declare Aarey Colony a forest and declined to quash a Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to permit the cutting of the trees for the metro car shed.
The Aarey Colony is located adjacent to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is home to five lakh trees and hosts a rich biodiversity.
Please note that under 66A of the IT Act, sending offensive or menacing messages through electronic communication service and sending false messages to cheat, mislead or deceive people or to cause annoyance to them is punishable. It is obligatory on kemmannu.com to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request. Hence, sending offensive comments using kemmannu.com will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Kemmannu.com be held responsible.
Similarly, Kemmannu.com reserves the right to edit / block / delete the messages without notice any content received from readers.
Mount Rosary Church - Rozaricho Gaanch May 2025 Issue

Final Journey of Juliana Machado (93 years) | LIVE from Udyavara | Udupi

Final Journey of Charles Pereira (78 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu

Milarchi Laram, Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Diocese of Udupi, Bulletin - April 2025

Holy Saturday | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Good Friday 2025 | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Way of Cross | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Maundy Thursday | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Palm Sunday | St. Theresa Church, Kemmannu

Final Journey of Albert Lewis (85years) | LIVE From St Theresa’s Church Kemmannu | Udupi

Final Journey of Gregory D’Souza (79 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu

Final Journey of Bernard G D’Souza | LIVE from Moodubelle

Final Journey of Jacintha Serrao (66 years) | LIVE From Sasthan

Earth Angels Kemmannu Unite: Supporting Asha Fernandes on Women’s Day

ಅಂತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಹಿಳಾ ದಿನಾಚರಣೆ | ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಪುರ ವಲಯ

Final Journey of Joseph Peter Fernandes (64 years) | LIVE From Milagres, Kallianpur, Udupi

ಕಾಜಾರಿ ಜೊಡ್ಯಾಂಚೊ ದೀಸ್ | ಸಾಂ. ಅಂತೊನ್ ಫಿರ್ಗಜ್, ಸಾಸ್ತಾನ್

Final Journey of Leo J. Crasto (97 years) | LIVE from Kemmannu, Udupi

Final Journey of Fedrick Lewis (67 years) | LIVE from Santhekatte

Final Journey of Mr. Charles D’Souza (63 years) | LIVE from Udyavar

Final Journey Of Richard Sequeira | Live From Barkur || Kemmannu channel

Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi - Parish Bulletin - January 2025 Issue

Rozaricho Gaanch 2024 December Issue - Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte

0:24 / 2:30:40 NEW YEAR MASS 2025 | LIVE from Kemmannu | Diocese of Udupi

Land/Houses for Sale in Kaup, Manipal, Kallianpur, Santhekatte, Uppor, Nejar, Kemmannu, Malpe, Ambalpady.

Naturya - Taste of Namma Udupi - Order NOW

Focus Studio, Near Hotel Kidiyoor, Udupi


Earth Angels - Kemmannu Since 2023

Click here for Kemmannu Knn Facebook Link
Sponsored Albums
Exclusive
A Saintly Shepherd of Our Times: A Tribute to Pope Francis

Servant of God – Fr Alfred Roche, Barkur -Closing ceremony of Birth Centenary Celebrations.

"Raav Sadanch" – A Konkani Musical Masterpiece by Young Prodigy Renish Tyson Pinto, Barkur Inspires Youth to Chase Their Passions.

Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Offers the Solemn Thanksgiving Jubilee Mass, in Milagres Cathedral

GOLDEN YEARS, HAPPIER TOGETHER….by P. Archibald Furtado

Parish Level inaugural Badminton Little Flower Cup 2024 held in Kemmannu.

Udupi: Foundation stone laid for the SVP sponsored new house at Kemmannu

KAMBALA – A FORGOTTEN SPORT OF YESTER YEARS…..

Monti Phest: A Rich Heritage of South Canara - By Fr. Anush D’Cunha SJ
