Nathu Rathod dismisses Aarey Conservation Group's allegations of debris dumping near JVLR, over last two months
The plot of land located near the Jogeshwari Vikroli Link Road where the debris is being dumped
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Aarey Milk Colony is once again in the news for the wrong reasons. Members of the non-profit organisation Aarey Conservation Group (ACG), which has been fighting to protect the green cover of this region, have alleged that illegal dumping of construction debris has been rampant in the area, over the last two months.
Environmentalist and ACG member Biju Augustine has written to Aarey CEO Nathu Rathod about the menace and urged the authorities to take immediate measures to stop the Aarey plot from becoming a dump yard. Speaking to mid-day, Augustine said that the plot of land where the debris is being dumped is located near the Jogeshwari Vikroli Link Road (JVLR). Significantly, there is a status quo on any construction related activity inside Aarey Milk Colony as a case pertaining to the same is being heard by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Augustine said, "Extensive filling and land reclamation activities are underway in Aarey, near the Metro casting yard. I have written to the Aarey CEO and requested him to look into the issue. The NGT has asked the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to stop all constructions, including work on the Metro III project, at Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, until further order. The CEO must take strict action against the culprits if some construction work is underway in Aarey without his permission. It's a clear violation of the NGT order."
ACG member Biju Augustine's letter to the Aarey CEO
On being contacted, Rathod, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless. "The plot near JVLR was handed over to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) over a year ago. The IOC has procured all the necessary permissions from the Suburban Collector for its construction-related activities."
60 No. of days since the dumping is going on
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