On November 17, the Supreme Court permitted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to seek a decision from the Tree Authority on its new application to cut additional trees for the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, one of the city’s major infrastructure initiatives. However, the Court stressed that compensatory plantation must be implemented strictly.
Earlier, on July 29, the Supreme Court had allowed the BMC to cut 95 trees in the Film City area for the same project. On October 27, a bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai expressed displeasure over improper implementation of tree-plantation measures in Mumbai and warned the Maharashtra government that permissions granted for projects including the Metro and GMLR could be revoked if plantation norms were not followed.
The Court had also directed the state’s Chief Secretary to hold meetings with all stakeholders and ensure effective compensatory plantation. After reviewing the affidavit submitted by the Chief Secretary on Monday, the bench comprising Chief Justice Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice N. V. Anjaria allowed the BMC to cut the trees required for the GMLR project, while once again underscoring that compensatory plantation must be carried out rigorously.
The bench noted that the affidavit includes a government resolution making tree plantation an integral requirement. Chief Justice Gavai warned that strict action would be taken against officials found negligent in executing plantation responsibilities. He also directed authorities to inspect areas earmarked for plantation in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
The Court further instructed that tree-plantation measures for the Metro and other projects must be implemented sincerely, with a compliance report to be submitted within 12 weeks. It also clarified that compensatory plantation may be carried out before felling trees.
On January 10, the Supreme Court had imposed a ban on tree felling in Aarey Colony, directing the BMC’s Tree Authority to obtain court approval before permitting any further tree cutting. The current application was filed by the BMC in line with those earlier directions. In the Metro car-shed case, the Court had also sought information from the Maharashtra government on whether any new proposals to cut trees in the Aarey forest were being considered.
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