Approval Granted for Construction of Metro Line-5 in Thane District, Subject to Compliance with Environmental Conditions.
10 January 2024
Environment Related Compliances >> COMPLIANCES
The petitioner, a statutory body under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority Act, 1974, sought permission to undertake the construction of Metro Line-5 at Kasheli Bridge and Durgadi Fort, Village Kasheli, Taluka Bhiwandi, District Thane. The project is of public importance and aims to ease transportation and reduce traffic congestion in Mumbai. The petitioner had already obtained several necessary statutory approvals, including CRZ clearance and forest land diversion permissions, subject to various conditions, such as compensatory afforestation and tree transplantation.
The Court noted that while the project involves the cutting of mangrove and non-mangrove trees, the authorities had assessed the impact and identified alternate alignments, confirming that the proposed alignment was the most suitable. Additionally, the trees to be felled had been marked, and the necessary compensatory measures, including replanting mangroves, were in place. Despite concerns raised about the initial application’s failure to mention tree cutting and the pending challenge in the Supreme Court regarding a communication from the Ministry of Environment, the Court concluded that the project had received all required permissions and approvals, and there were no valid grounds to refuse the approval.
The Court granted leave for the petitioner to proceed with the construction of Metro Line-5, subject to compliance with all statutory conditions.