The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has proposed cutting down 10,000 trees in Uttan, Bhayandar, to make space for a car depot for Metro 9. The metro line connects Dahisar East to Mira Bhayandar. In response, environmentalists and residents have strongly opposed the plan. They have called it a serious threat to the region’s ecology.
The number of trees marked for removal is over four times higher than the 2,298 trees cut down for a Metro 3 depot at Aarey Colony. The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) issued a public notice on March 12 regarding the plan.
The notice, written in Marathi, stated that the trees are an "obstruction" to the construction. The public was given until March 19 to submit objections and suggestions.
Activists argue that the notice lacks any details. It does not include the exact locations of the trees, the impact on biodiversity, or information on compensatory afforestation. Many believe that the government is hiding key facts. They also claim that the short seven-day window for objections is unfair.
It has been claimed that the notice was not even uploaded on the civic body’s website. The situation has been compared to what happened in Aarey, where a long battle was fought against tree cutting for the metro depot.
As per a report by HT, Godfrey Pimenta from the Watchdog Foundation also raised concerns. He wrote to MBMC, warning that cutting nearly 10,000 trees would have severe environmental consequences. He highlighted rising temperatures, urban heat islands, and climate change risks.
The MBMC confirmed that it received 68 objections from citizens before the deadline. A public hearing will be held soon, but the date and location are yet to be decided.
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