Estranged allies Shiv Sena and BJP are now pitted against each other on the Shinde-Fadnavis government’s decision to scrap the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s decision to cancel the construction of a metro car shed in Aarey Colony. Aam Aadmi Party’s Mumbai and various citizen organisations today staged a protest against the new government’s decision to develop a metro car shed in Aarey Colony.
Shiv Sena legislator Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday made a request to the Shinde-Fadnavis government on the controversial Metro car shed project in Mumbai.
‘’Since I have to attend the sitting of the State Legislative Assembly today, I will be missing out on the protest for Aarey Forest and the MMRCL land. I humbly urge the new government to reconsider its decision. Don’t cast the hate for us, onto our beloved Mumbai. Aarey isn’t only about 2700+ trees, it is about its biodiversity that we are seeking to protect our Mumbai. There are daily sightings of leopards and other smaller species in the car shed spot and around it. We’re proud of declaring more than 800 acres as the forest around it,’’ said Aaditya.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said ‘’Aarey issue is half genuine and half sponsored. Work was paused after 25 percent of it had been completed. The cost has already been escalated by Rs 10,000 crore. More the delay, the more the cost escalates. This is the only solution to Mumbai's congestion.’’ He added that further delay will escalate the project cost.
‘’The project is the “only solution” to the capital city’s congestion,’’ he reiterated.
However, Aaditya said ‘’While the car shed work was given a stay by the then CM, Uddhav Thackeray, the work on Line 3 was fully supported to be carried on. The alternate location of Kanjurmarg, disputed by GoI, will fit in depots for metro lines 3,4,6,14 into 1 space, thus saving on cost & time. Line 6 would anyway need a car shed, either at Kanjurmarg (which was originally thought of in 2018) or at Pahadi Goregaon. Having studied both, both are feasible for Line 3 too. Metros don’t go to car shed after every trip, they need stabilising lines, that are missing for Line 3.’’
He further noted, ‘’This is about sustainable development and better planning. This is about Mumbai’s development and we staying here instead of being handed over a badly planned project that destroys our Mumbai’s, Aarey Forest.’’
