Often cities are developed by clearing forests, but the state's Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) government, through various decisions taken recently, has done the job of retaining forests in Mumbai. Shiv Sena chief and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray shared this message with the people and other politicians regarding Aarey Car Shed and Metro project while addressing them at the Dussehra meet held on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at Savarkar Smarak in Dadar.
This is Uddhav Thackeray's first Dussehra rally after assuming the post of Chief Minister. Sharing more thought about the Aarey forests, he said that we have taken a decision to save the forest of Aarey, and till date, we have saved about 808 acres of forest, which is an example like nowhere else in the world. 'Cities have been built by clearing forests, but your Maha Vikas Aghadi government has retained the forest in the city,' CM added.
Offering clarity on the Metro car shed project, he said that the previous government was cutting down trees in the night and later demanded time to study and understand the issue. How long would they need? All this despite not being in power? Hence, acting upon the same, CM clarified that the government decided to move the project to Kanjurmarg, and has not taken any money for the land which will be used for the project.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who claims that INR 400 crore has already been spent on the Aarey car shed was also questioned and criticised by the supporters of the Aarey Save Movement and several environmentalists. Besides this, Fadnavis has also been asked about the remaining INR 330 crore which was to be used for the project. The accountability for the same is not to be seen or mentioned.
This comes in after the decision was announced by CM Uddhav Thackeray to move the car shed of Kanjurmarg for the use of both Metro-3 and Metro-6. Devendra Fadnavis had strongly criticized the decision and also claimed that huge expenses would be wasted on the project again.