Two days after announcing a stay on the construction work for the controversial Metro-3 car shed, Maharashtra's new Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday, December 1, announced that cases filed against activists who protested against the Aarey issue will also be withdrawn.
I have ordered that the cases filed against green activists during the Aarey agitation be withdrawn. There will be no more cases against anyone now," announced Thackeray, who has been a supporter of the campaign to save Mumbai's lungs.
On October 2019, Mumbai Police had taken action against the environmentalists and filed cases against several protesters under various sections of the Indian Penal Code as they had tried to prevent the authorities from chopping trees in Aarey Colony. Following which, the Supreme Court intervened and put a stay on the deforestation activity. However, by then, over 2,000 trees had already been cut down in the disputed area.
On November 29, CM Uddhav Thackeray while addressing the press conference had said, "I have ordered to stop the work of the Aarey metro car shed project today. The Metro work will not stop but till the next decision, not a single leaf of Aarey will be cut".
Owing to this decision, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded against Thackeray and criticised his decision to stay the construction of car shed:
It’s unfortunate that State Government stayed Aarey Metro CarShed work in spite of Hon Supreme Court & Hon High Court orders.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 29, 2019
This shows State Government is not serious about Mumbai Infrastructure projects!
And ultimate sufferer is common Mumbaikar only !#SaveMetroSaveMumbai
Japan’s JICA had funded ₹15,000crore for this Metro project on nominal interest rates.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 29, 2019
Such decisions will demotivate investors to come forward in future and all infra projects will get stalled which were already delayed for so long in previous 15 year rule#SaveMetroSaveMumbai
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