CM Devendra Fadnavis accepts report on Colaba Bandra Seepz metro line three

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday accepted the report prepared by the six member expert committee regarding the Colaba Bandra Seepz metro line three. The committee in its report has suggested that an alternate location for the car depot is available at Kanjurmarg.

There has been a strong opposition to the car depot coming up at Aarey Milk Colony not only from the environmentalists but also from the NGOs and various citizen groups stating cutting of trees causes negative impact to the biodiversity of the Aarey Milk Colony. Taking a serious note, a six member expert committee was formed. The CM office in a press release issued on Friday have said that they have accepted the suggestions made by the expert committee.

The press release also states that the state government has been asked to give the land available at Kanjurmarg for the car depot in three months and the Jogeshwari-Seepz-Vikroli metro line should also be taken along with the metro line three. According to the release, the government might have to spend Rs 750 crore extra in order to save the environment.

While the car depot might be shifted, the committee in the report has suggested that 16 stabling lines for the metro can be constructed in Aarey which will require cutting of less than 500 trees.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in its report had said that in case if there is a problem in getting the land at Kanjurmarg, a double decked metro car depot should be constructed at Aarey. Even though it will require less trees to be axed, the government will have to spend more on the construction cost.

An official from MMRDA said, "Taking in consideration the issues and obstacles that the government might have to face while getting the Kanjurmarg land, the committee has recommended that in case the land at Kanjurmarg is not made available for some reason, then the modified layout of a full service double decked depot at Aarey colony as suggested by DMRC near the present site should be considered."

However, in this case, the project cost will increase by approximately 750 crores due to civil construction in extension of underground corridor, double decking and also due to elevated test track.

The options entails a substantially smaller impact of only 446 trees, and the depot area is also reduced to 20.82 Ha from the present area of 30 Ha. The number of trees and the depot area might change a bit, subject to detailed planning.

The report also states that for every one tree that is cut, three trees that grow over 10 feet should be planted. The experts from the field should be consulted and that the MMRC will have to maintain the trees for a period of five years.