Greens slam plan to uproot 228 trees for Mumbai Metro Line 2B

A total of 228 trees will have to be cut down to make way for the construction of the metro station and its entry and exit in K West ward. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

As the construction of Metro Line 2B from D N Nagar to Mandale is progressing, 228 trees will need to be removed for the metro station and its entry/exit in the K West ward. City-based green activist Zoru Bhathena claims that the municipal commissioner lacks authority to decide on tree cutting. The BMC Tree Authority document dated December 5 mentions a proposal to remove trees obstructing the entry and exit construction of Metro Line 2B station at Esik Nagar, Prem Nagar, Indira Nagar, and Nanavati hospital in K West ward.

In April 2023, MMRDA submitted a proposal to the BMC Tree Authority. As per the proposal, out of the 261 trees affected, 211 would be cut, and 50 would be transplanted to facilitate the construction of entry and exit points for Metro Line 2B stations. In the same month, MMRDA submitted another proposal to the Tree Authority, indicating their decision to spare 33 trees from the initially planned 211 trees slated for cutting during the construction of Metro Line 2B.

Big trees on the road outside Nanavati hospital ( SV Road), while the construction of metro line 2B is underway. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Now as per the revised proposal, a total of 228 trees, including 181 trees will have to be cut and 47 trees will have to be transplanted to make way for the construction of entry and exit of Metro stations on Line 2B. In December 2023, the MMRDA submitted all details and documents to the Tree Authority. The BMC document states that BMC Tree Authority has sent the proposal to the municipal commissioner for final approval.

Green activist Zoru Bhathena who has been fighting for the cause of saving trees said, "Mumbai has been running without a Tree Authority for 2 years! In the absence of a Tree Authority, the municipal commissioner is only having emergency powers to cut trees. This is not about 228 trees. It is about the blatant and illegal destruction of Mumbai's tree cover by our government, without any checks and balances in place."

Metro Line 2B, spanning 23.643 km as an elevated corridor with 20 stations from D N Nagar to Mandale, aims to enhance interconnectivity among various transportation networks, including the Western and Eastern Express Highways, Western and Central Railways, Mono Rail, Metro Line 1 (Ghatkopar to Versova), Metro Line 2A (Dahisar to D N Nagar), Metro Line 4 (Wadala to Kasarvadavali), and the upcoming Metro Line 3 (Colaba to SEEPZ). Metro Line 2B will not only connect the eastern and western suburban areas of Mumbai but also offer rail-based access to key commercial, government offices, and geographical landmarks across the city.

A dedicated depot at Mandale, covering 31.4 hectares, is in the works, and construction is underway. Once completed, the depot is expected to significantly reduce current travel times by 50 per cent to 75 per cent, depending on road conditions.