The request Mumbai by Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to use groundwater at the contentious Aarey Metro car shed site has been rejected by the Central Groundwater Resources Authority. MMRCL official Charuhas Jadhav gave out this information at the second appellate hearing chaired by State Information Commissioner Sumit Mullick last week.
Originally, NGO Vanshakti had asked for necessary information on the MMRCL’s requirement of 50,000 litres of water per day at the metro car shed site in Aarey Colony. However, the NGO’s request was refused by the authorities which led the group to take legal recourse via appeal.
It’s worth noting that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had asked the MMRCL to use the groundwater at Aarey pending requisite permissions from the Central Groundwater Resources Authority.
Also Read - 2,563 Objections For Metro 3 Metro Bhavan At Aarey
Though Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray halted the work at the proposed Metro 3 car shed in Aarey, he subsequently set up a panel to provide suitable alternatives for the car shed. However, the panel came to the conclusion that Aarey was the most viable option, leaving the authorities in a state of confusion.
Separately, a recent incident has come to light wherein MMRCL officials were alleged of unblocking a natural stream near the Aarey car shed site. It is said that the local tribal population (Adivasis) protested the works conducted on their land and the officials ultimately had to leave the site.
Responding to these allegations, a spokesperson for the MMRCL said that a mini JCB was being used to create a kachcha drain so as to allow the water to flow into open land. “Even monsoon work is being objected to,” the spokesperson added.
Also read - Underground Tunnelling Of Metro-3 Will Only Be Completed After Feb 2021