Why is Aarey called the ‘Lung of Mumbai’ & what is the controversy over Mumbai Metro car shed

Summary

The new government in Maharashtra has reignited the decade-long controversy over the metro car shed for Mumbai's Colaba-Bandra-Seep project. Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis have decided to move the car shed back to the ecologically sensitive Aarey Milk Colony, despite opposition from environmentalists and tribal communities. The move has intensified protests and concerns over the loss of green space and potential environmental damage. The project, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and ease commuter traffic, has become a battleground between political parties, with the public caught in the middle.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis have decided to revisit the metro car shed location in Mumbai, reversing the previous government's decision to move it out of Aarey Colony (Ra).
• 🌳 Aarey Colony, a 1300-hectare green lung in Mumbai's Korigao area, is home to indigenous flora and fauna, as well as 27 Adivasi hamlets, and has been a point of contention for the metro car shed's location.
• 🏗️ The metro car shed project has been a decade-long controversy, shifting from an environmental issue to a political dispute between the BJP and Shiv Sena over the site's environmental impact.
• 🚇 The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a joint venture between the Government of India and the Maharashtra Government, is responsible for the metro line and has proposed a car depot with administrative and maintenance facilities.
• 🌳 The 'Save Aarey' campaign was initiated in 2015 by citizens and environmentalists to protest against the proposed car shed, leading to court petitions and a technical committee to explore alternatives.
• 🔪 In 2019, despite protests and legal challenges, the BMC's tree authority approved the felling of 2185 trees from Aarey for the car shed's construction.
• 🛠️ The UT Khadse-led MVA government, which came to power in 2019, decided to move the car shed out of Aarey, but the new government has reversed this decision.
• 🌿 Environmentalists argue that the Aarey forest is crucial for Mumbai's monsoon season and that the metro car shed could lead to increased flooding and loss of green space.
• 🐆 The Aarey forest is said to host leopards, hundreds of bird species, reptiles, and around 4.5 lakh trees, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
• 🗳️ The political battle over the car shed's location has intensified, with the current government reinstating the plan to build it in Aarey, despite opposition from environmentalists and the public.

Q & A

What was the initial decision regarding the metro car shed location made by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government?

The initial decision by the Uddhav Thackeray-led government was to move the proposed metro car shed out of Aarey Colony (referred to as 'ra' in the transcript), which is one of Mumbai's few green lungs, and relocate it to Kanchan.

Why did Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis revisit the metro car shed location decision?

Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis scrapped the previous decision to move the metro car shed out of Aarey Colony and decided to relocate it back to Aarey, sparking controversy and reigniting the debate over the environmental and developmental implications of the project.

What is the significance of Aarey Colony for Mumbai?

Aarey Colony, also referred to as 'ra', is a 1300-hectare green lung in Mumbai's Korigao area, home to a variety of indigenous flora and fauna, including leopards and hundreds of bird species. It is also home to 27 Adivasi hamlets and is crucial for the city during monsoon as part of the flood plain of the Mithi River.

What are the concerns raised by environmentalists and local communities regarding the metro car shed in Aarey Colony?

Environmentalists and local communities are concerned about the environmental cost of the metro car shed in Aarey Colony, fearing it would destroy the last remaining green lung of Mumbai, disrupt the habitat of indigenous species, and potentially increase urban flooding by affecting the Mithi River's flood plain.

How has the political landscape influenced the decision-making process regarding the metro car shed?

The decision-making process has been influenced by political factors, with the BJP insisting on the car shed being at Aarey to avoid delays, while the Shiv Sena-led MVA government wanted to protect the environment. The change in government has led to shifts in the project's location, reflecting political priorities and alliances.

What was the role of the Save Aarey campaign in the controversy?

The Save Aarey campaign was launched by citizens and environmentalists around 2015, leading to numerous protests and court petitions. The campaign played a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for the protection of Aarey Colony from the metro car shed project.

What were the findings of the technical committee constituted by the Patnavis government regarding the metro car shed?

The technical committee suggested an integrated car depot at Kanjirmar with a small facility at Aarey to meet immediate needs. However, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government later decided to proceed with a full car depot at Aarey, leading to further controversy.

What was the outcome of the Bombay High Court's intervention in the tree-cutting issue at Aarey Colony?

The Bombay High Court refused pleas by activists seeking a stay on tree-cutting at Aarey Colony. Following this, MMRCL cut trees overnight, leading to further protests and arrests of protesters at the site.

What are the benefits claimed by MMRCL for the metro line project?

MMRCL claims that the metro line will connect business and residential corridors, including the airport, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 metric tons per year, and ferry 17 lakh commuters daily.

How have the recent protests and political changes impacted the current status of the metro car shed project?

Recent protests and political changes have intensified the debate. The current government, led by Shinde, has decided to move the car shed back to Aarey, and MMRCL has claimed that 75% of the civil work has been completed, with the project aiming for completion by December 2023.