Have the Metro authorities started construction work inside Aarey Colony in violation of the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) orders? Locals spotted cement and gravel heaped at the site opposite the proposed car shed plot for Metro III, despite a court order prohibiting any construction in Aarey. When questioned by mid-day, the MMRC chief said they were building a fence, but made a misleading claim about permission to undertake the work.

Activists have been fighting tooth and nail against development in the eco-sensitive Aarey, and the NGT expressly prohibited any construction work there until it decides on the dispute over the Metro III car shed. However, yesterday, a nature lover sent this paper a picture of construction material at the plot opposite the car depot site (both plots are under MMRC's possession). This is the same plot where the MMRC had carried out tree plantation after activists protested that the Metro project would wipe out 2,298 trees in Aarey.