Metro Line 9 Depot Sparks Controversy Over Tree Felling

The construction of a depot for Mumbai’s Metro Line 9 has sparked major controversy, with thousands of trees in Bhayandar reportedly set to be cut down. RTI activist Godfrey Pimenta revealed that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has not conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project raising serious environmental concerns.

Pimenta obtained this information through a Right to Information (RTI) request. He stated that while metro and railway projects are not legally required to obtain environmental clearance under the 2006 EIA Notification, conducting an EIA is still crucial for understanding and mitigating environmental impacts. He pointed out that in 2017, MMRDA conducted an EIA for Metro Line 7, which examined air, water, noise, land, and biodiversity, a similar study should have been conducted for the Metro 9 depot, especially since it involves ecologically sensitive hills.

The depot is planned to be built in Dongri, Mira-Bhayandar. Environmentalist Stalin D. of NGO Vanashakti alleged that nearly 12,000 trees including around 900 mango trees will be cut. He noted the public outcry over the felling of 4,000 trees in Aarey but said there is little awareness or protest over this much larger loss. He further claimed that tree-cutting has already begun without obtaining Coastal Regulation Zone clearance or environmental approvals, suggesting the government is prioritising real estate interests over environmental responsibility.

Public resentment is reportedly growing over the issue. Critics argue that MMRDA must follow environmental norms more strictly and reconsider the depot’s location.

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Metro Line 9, an extension of Line 7, spans 13.58 km with 11.39 km elevated and 2.19 km underground and includes 10 stations. Once operational, it will connect Andheri to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Dahisar to Mira-Bhayandar. The line is expected to link with Western Express Highway, Western Railway, Metro Line 2A (Dahisar–D.N. Nagar), and Metro Line 7, significantly reducing travel time by 50–75%, according to MMRDA.