Why is Aarey called the ‘Lung of Mumbai’ & what is the controversy over Mumbai Metro car shed
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🌿 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.
🛠️ 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.
🌳 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Metro Car Shed
💡Chief Minister
💡Environmental Issue
💡Political Ego Battle
💡Adivasi Hamlets
💡Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)
💡Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL)
💡Protests and Petitions
💡Eco-Sensitive Zone
💡Carbon Dioxide Emissions
💡Flood Plain
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
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
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