Mumbai Metro: MMRDA resorts to tree mapping to avoid the axe

In a bid to avoid wrath of green activists by felling trees, MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) has decided to undertake a tree mapping exercise along the 18 km stretch between Dahisar and DN Nagar, before initiating Metro line constructions. The project is expected to get over within the next four months.

An MMRDA official said, "We don't want any sort of problems to come up when we begin the construction - especially from green activists and locals. We will be appointing an agency soon to conduct a detailed survey of the number of trees that might get affected because of the Dahisar-DN Nagar Metro construction."

Referring to allegations by some nature activists that certain names of trees mentioned in the Environment Impact Assessment report during Metro Line III's construction were inaccurate, the official said, "The tree mapping exercise will leave little room for inaccuracy."

Confirming the news, MMRDA joint project director Dilip Kawatkar said, "We have invited tenders for appointment of a company that will do the tree mapping survey along the alignment of Dahisar East to DN Nagar Metro line. Their job will be to measure the height and diameter of the trees and note down the types of trees along the alignment."

Past problems
The MMRDA and MMRC (Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation) had faced a lot of criticism when they had proposed chopping of trees along Metro line III (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz corridor).