, Oct 21 (PTI) There is no stay on the construction of the Mumbai Metro car shed at Aarey Colony, the Supreme Court said on Monday, clarifying that its status quo order is applicable only on felling of trees there.
The top court asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to submit a report on the number of trees cut, afforestration and trans-plantation being carried out in lieu of felling of trees at Mumbai's prominent green lung.
A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta was assured by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the BMC, that no further felling of tree is being done in Aarey colony and complete status quo is being maintained following the apex court's last order.
A counsel, appearing for the PIL petitioners seeking stay on felling of trees, alleged that in the garb of clearing of trees from the area, the construction work for the project is going on.
"There is not stay on the metro car shed project. Our status quo order is with respect to felling of trees," the bench observed, adding that its interim order on stay on felling of trees would continue till further orders.The top court asked the BMC to submit a status report on the activities proposed in the Aarey forest area.
"Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the Municipal Corporation, Mumbai, has prayed for time to submit response to the petitions, which have been filed.
"We have requested the solicitor general to place on record as to what other activities are proposed in Aarey Forest Area, is there any project of construction of the building in the offing, or has been sanctioned", the bench said in its order. The top court also asked the Mumbai Metro to submit pictures of the afforestration, transplantation, measurement of girth and height of trees planted, and tree felling done in the area by November 15.