The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) today said it was in the process of preparing an in-situ mangrove restoration plan and expects to submit the report to Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit (MMCU) for approvals.
The MMRC, which is implementing the Rs 23,136 crore Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro-3 corridor, has come under flak from local activists for its proposed tree-cutting and removing of mangrove cover to make way for the project.
"The MMRC is working towards an in-situ mangrove restoration plan, which will soon be submitted to Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit for approvals," its managing director Ashwini Bhide said.
Few months ago, the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) had informed the Lok Sabha that 231 mangroves on 1.69 hectares land will be removed for the 33.5 km project.
The MMRC has also received a green nod from the MoEF to carry out the construction work at two land parcels admeasuring 0.91 hectares and 0.34 hectares for the Bandra-Kurla Complex and Dharavi Metro stations, respectively.
"With this clearance, we will be able to fast track our construction activities for metro stations at BKC and Dharavi," she said.
The MoEF has given the clearance in the wake of the recommendations made by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Nodal officer (FCA) and central and state Governments, Bhide added.
Recently, the Maharashtra government's agriculture and animal husbandry department has sanctioned handing over of 7,200 square meter land in Aarey Milk Colony to MMRC.
This land parcel will now be handed over to the state's revenue and forest department so that it can transfer the land to the MMRC.
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