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.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Environmental Controversy Over Mumbai Metro Car Shed

The script discusses the political and environmental debate surrounding the proposed metro car shed in Mumbai's Aarey Forest, known as Ra. The new chief minister and his deputy revisit the decision to move the car shed from Ra to Kanjurmarg, reigniting the decade-long controversy. The forest, a critical green lung for the city, is home to indigenous flora and fauna, including 27 Adivasi hamlets. The Adivasi community fears the project will lead to further destruction of their habitat. The script also outlines the history of the controversy, starting with the 2012 proposal by the Congress-NCP government, the public's environmental concerns, and the subsequent protests and legal battles. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), responsible for the metro line, argues that the car shed is necessary for administrative and maintenance purposes, requiring the felling of trees. The Save Ra campaign, initiated by citizens and environmentalists, has been fighting against the project, highlighting the ecological importance of the area.

05:01

🛠️ Political Tug-of-War and Legal Struggles Over Metro Car Shed

The script continues with the political struggle over the metro car shed's location. The Patnavis government formed a technical committee to explore alternatives, suggesting an integrated car depot at Kanjurmarg with a smaller facility at Ra. However, the Fatima government decided to proceed with a full car depot at Ra, leading to further protests and tree-cutting approvals by BMC's tree authority in 2019. The change in government in 2019 brought a decision to shift the car shed out of Ra, but the new government, led by Shinde, has decided to move it back, intensifying protests. Activists argue that using Ra for the metro car shed could lead to future development, threatening the city's green spaces. The script also discusses the alleged denotification of 400 acres of land under the pretext of building an 80-acre depot, hinting at potential commercial development. The MMRCL claims that 75% of the civil work is complete and the project is on track to be finished by December 2023, with benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and improved commuter transport.

10:03

🌳 Protests and Concerns Over Mumbai's Green Spaces

The final paragraph delves into the ongoing protests and the ecological significance of the Aarey Forest. Environmentalists argue that the forest is home to leopards, hundreds of bird and reptile species, and is crucial for Mumbai's monsoon flood management. They express concerns that the metro car shed project could lead to increased flooding. The script notes that all stakeholders agree on the need for a metro in Mumbai, but there is分歧 over the car shed's location. The protesters demand that the car shed be moved out of Ra to preserve Mumbai's last green lung. The script concludes with a reflection on the impact of political decisions on the city's environment and the ongoing struggle between development and conservation.

Keywords

💡Metro Car Shed

A metro car shed is a facility where metro trains are stored, maintained, and repaired. In the context of the video, the metro car shed is a point of contention as it is proposed to be built in the Ra area of Mumbai, which is considered an environmentally sensitive zone. The script discusses the political and environmental debates surrounding the location of this shed, highlighting the conflict between development needs and ecological preservation.

💡Chief Minister

The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, responsible for implementing policies and overseeing the administration. The script mentions Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis, who are key figures in the decision-making process regarding the metro car shed. Their actions and decisions are central to the narrative of the video, illustrating the political dynamics at play.

💡Environmental Issue

An environmental issue refers to matters concerning the natural environment and its conservation. In the video, the Ra forest, which is home to indigenous flora and fauna, is at the heart of an environmental issue as it faces potential destruction due to the proposed metro car shed. The script details the concerns of environmentalists and local communities regarding the ecological impact of the project.

💡Political Ego Battle

A political ego battle implies a conflict driven by personal or party interests rather than broader public interest. The script describes how the debate over the metro car shed has become a political ego battle between the BJP and Shiv Sena parties, each advocating for different locations for the shed based on their political agendas, which has contributed to the delay and controversy of the project.

💡Adivasi Hamlets

Adivasi Hamlets refer to the indigenous communities residing in Ra forest, known as 'pads'. The script highlights the opposition of these communities to the metro car shed project, fearing the destruction of their habitat and the natural environment. Their perspective adds a layer of social and cultural significance to the environmental debate.

💡Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)

MMRDA is a government agency responsible for planning and coordinating urban development in the Mumbai metropolitan region. The script mentions MMRDA's role in the initial public consultation for the metro car shed project, indicating its involvement in the decision-making process and the public's engagement with the project.

💡Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL)

MMRCL is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Maharashtra Government, tasked with implementing the metro line project. The script discusses MMRCL's plans for the metro car shed, including the administrative building, workshops, and maintenance facilities, which necessitate the clearing of a significant portion of the Ra forest.

💡Protests and Petitions

Protests and petitions are forms of public dissent and advocacy, often used to express opposition to government decisions. The script recounts how citizens and environmentalists have used protests and petitions to voice their concerns against the metro car shed project in Ra, demonstrating the active role of civil society in shaping urban development.

💡Eco-Sensitive Zone

An eco-sensitive zone is an area designated for protection due to its ecological importance. The script highlights that Ra is considered an eco-sensitive zone, which complicates the proposal for the metro car shed. The term is significant as it underscores the environmental value of the area and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding its development.

💡Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to climate change, and reducing them is a global environmental goal. The script mentions that the metro project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, suggesting a potential environmental benefit of the project. This point is used to argue in favor of the metro line's construction, despite the controversy over the car shed's location.

💡Flood Plain

A flood plain is an area of land adjacent to a river that is prone to flooding. The script discusses concerns that the metro car shed project could disrupt the flood plain of the Mitti River, which is crucial for Mumbai's monsoon season. This keyword is important as it ties the project's impact to broader environmental and urban planning issues, such as flood management.

Highlights

Chief Minister Ignat Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devinder Padnavis visited Madras and called for the file on the metro car shed, scrapping the previous government's decision to move it out of Ra.

The decision to move the metro car shed back to Ra reignited the controversy over its location for Mumbai's underground Colaba-Bandra-Seep metro.

The BJP insists the car shed should be at Ra to avoid delays, while the Shiv Sena argues it would have a significant environmental impact.

The Ra forest, a 1300-hectare area in Mumbai's Korigao, is home to indigenous flora and fauna and 27 Adivasi hamlets.

Adivasi communities fear that development in Ra could lead to further destruction of Mumbai's last remaining green lung.

The controversy began in 2012 with the proposal for a car shed at Ra for the 33.5 km underground metro project.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) held a public meeting to discuss the car shed, where environmental concerns were raised.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a joint venture between the Government of India and Maharashtra, is the nodal agency for the metro line.

The proposed car depot would require the felling of 33 hectares of trees, leading to the launch of the 'Save Ra' campaign by citizens and environmentalists.

The Patnavis government constituted a technical committee to find an alternative site, suggesting an integrated car depot at Kanjirmar.

In 2018 and 2019, the Fadnavis government decided to proceed with the full car depot at Ra, requiring the cutting of 2646 trees.

The decision to cut trees in Ra led to large-scale protests and arrests of protesters at the site.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government decided to shift the car shed out of Ra in 2019.

The new Shinde government's decision to move the car shed back to Ra has intensified protests, with activists fearing future development in the area.

MMRCL claims that 75% of the civil work has been completed and the project can be finished by December 2023.

The metro line is expected to connect business and residential corridors, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and ferry 17 lakh commuters daily.

Environmentalists argue that the Ra forest is crucial for Mumbai's monsoon and its destruction could lead to increased flooding.

The political battle over the car shed's location has caused delays in the metro project, affecting Mumbai's citizens.

Transcripts

on the very first day after taking oath

chief minister ignat shinde and deputy

chief minister devinder padnavis went to

madras and called for the file on the ra

metro car shed

they scrapped the previous uddhavtakri

led mahavika sagari government's

decision to move the proposed metro car

shed out of ra

one of mumbai's few green lungs and

relocate it to kanchan

and with this the controversy over the

metro car shed for mumbai's ambitious

fully underground colaba bandra seeps

metro was back and spotlight

the controversy has tracked on for a

decade from an environmental issue to a

political ego battle between the bjp

which insists the car shirt should be at

ra to avoid delays in the metro project

and the chef cena which wants that it

will bear a huge environmental cost for

the city

as part of the mva government shift

cena's allies congress and the ncp two

were opposed to the ra site the tug of

war had been indenting the progress of

the already delayed project

the ra forest measuring around 1300

hectares in mumbai's korigao area a

northern suburb is the lung of the city

with a variety of indigenous species of

flora and fauna in it

it is also home to 27 adivasi hamlets

known as padas who have been strongly

opposing the proposed car shed

the adivasi is living here fear that

once any portion of ary is opened up

then more and more activities could come

up here which would further destroy this

last remaining lung of mumbai which is

the ra forest

project

happy international

foreign

foreign

foreign

the current controversy around the metro

car shed has its origin in 2012 when the

then congress ncp government proposed a

car shared for washing and maintaining

metro coaches at ra for the 33.5

kilometer underground collaboratives

metro project

while the conjure mark site was

considered as an option the then

prathira chawan led government

provisionally decided to go with ra

as for any project

the mumbai metropolitan region

development authority called the public

meeting to record suggestions and

objections that year

i was the only one who raised

environmental concerns at that meeting

at that meeting there was no response

because that meeting was uh

most of the agenda was taken over by

people whose buildings would get

demolished at girgaon and other places

so there was no response from mmrda side

in 2014 when even the partners took over

he continued with the plan mmrcl the

mumbai metro rail corporation limited is

a joint venture between government of

india and maharashtra government the

nodal agency for the metro line the

mmrcl said the proposed car depot to

also have an administrative building

operation control inspection and

maintenance workshops and staff

and stabling lines for parking of trains

and for this the felling of freeze is

necessary on the patch of 33 hectares of

land

save ra campaign was launched by

citizens and environmentalists around

2015.

number of protests were carried out and

petitions were filed in courts

following which the patnavis government

constituted a technical committee to

look for an alternative

the panel suggested having an integrated

car depot at kanjirmar with a small

facility at ra to take care of the

project's immediate needs but the

fatima's government later decided to go

ahead with the full car depot at re

requiring the hacking of

2646 trees on a 30 hectare plot around

2018 and 19 ra had become the flash

point between ruling alliance partners

chef cena and bjp with the sena opposing

the car share project in ra however in

august 2019 bmc's tree authority

approved the proposal to cut

2185 trees from ra for the construction

of the car shed

this led to protest once again with

citizens coming out in large numbers

[Applause]

in early october mmrcl hacked trees

overnight after the bombay high court

refused pleas by activists seeking a

stay protesters at the site were

arrested

in 2019 the uttar taqre led mva

government came to power and decided to

shift the car share out of ra the

following year

however the then proposed site assault

pan land at kanjur mark is under

litigation with the center state as well

as few private parties as its claimants

but with new government taking the

project back to ra protests have

intensified activists allege using the

ra land for a metro car shed now will

make it vulnerable to future development

gradually robbing the city of one of its

last few green spaces

when he was chief minister mr fatnevis

had a war room chief finished his war

room with great difficulty we got the

minutes of that war room

and in that minutes it is written first

thing

let's come to ra

he was very well aware ra was an

eco-sensitive zone entirely was an

eco-sensitive zone the forest department

moef said its forest and

ecocentric zone

chief minister has directed the forest

department to object to the inclusion of

eco-sensitive zone and forest for

because i want to make a depot there

so under directions of chief minister

the forest department objected to it not

because it is not a forest or not an

ecosensitive zone

first issue

second issue is

uh

under the garb of a depot they at depot

which is 80 acres they denotified 400

acres of arya

okay

and

in his war rooms is very clearly written

the depot will be depot and allied

activities

and allied activities will mean

commercial development

which will be revealed only later

after the shinde government decided to

move the car shed back to ra uttav takri

requested the government to not wind

anger on mumbai girls

currently the work in ra has begun so

far mmrcl has claimed that 75 of civil

work has already been done

and the project can be completed by

december 2023 mmrcl lists out benefits

of the metro line as it will connect

business residential corridors as well

as airport domestic and international

the agency also claims that corridor

will reduce carbon dioxide emission to

the tune of 10 000 metric ton per year

and ferry 17 lakh commuters daily

but environmentalists claim that in

october mmrcl did not cut all 2000 trees

whereas around 200 trees were cut and in

two years once again that area is seeing

forest growth

so this was a false story put up by the

federalist government that in 2019 that

all trees are cut that point of time

there was a curfew that time now after

one week we went and we checked it the

trees were standing

so we have got the photos we have got

the data we have put it before the

supreme court

did all the trees were not cut

so whether they cut all trees for

permission or not but the statement was

whatever trees we needed have been cut

environmentalists say that the forest

has leopards hundreds of species of

birds reptiles along with around 4.5

lakh trees

they also say this is the only lung of

mumbai and the project is proposed to

come on the flat plains of mitti river

which is crucial for mumbai during

monsoon

and if the flood plain is destroyed it

can lead to more floods in the city

of

foreign

and the protests around it have once

again begin in mumbai interestingly all

stakeholders want a metro for mumbai but

the protesters want the car share to be

shifted out of ra the earlier mba

government had stalled the proposal of

the bjp chef cena government to bring a

car shared in ra however after the

change of government now the iknac

shinde and the navy department's

government had reinstated that a car

share would be built in metro

in all of this political battle it is

mumbai because the common mumbaikers

feel that their last lung which is the

ra of mumbai should not be destroyed and

it should be saved in mumbai with riti

agarwal this is pulvachnas for the print

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