Maharashtra Govt paves way for Metro car shed at Mumbai’s Aarey site

An important decision happened. The new Government in Maharashtra on Thursday announced lifting of the stay on the construction of Mumbai Metro-3 car shed at the controversial site in the Aarey Colony, a green belt in the western suburbs.

The move came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, at a meeting with Consul General of Japan in Mumbai Fukahori Yasukata, assured him of fast-tracking Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded projects, which include the Mumbai Metro’s Line 3.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis announced lifting of the stay on the construction of Metro-3 car shed in the Aarey Colony in suburban Goregaon. It reversed a decision taken by the previous Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government. One which will surely invite criticism from environmental groups and some political parties.

Just before the 2019 Assembly elections, the proposed car shed in the wooded area had widened the gap. It widened between the then-ruling allies Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena had bitterly opposed the Aarey car shed project. They demanded relocation of the depot at a site in the eastern suburb of Kanjurmarg. The ownership was later claimed by a private party as well as the salt commissioner of India.

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, on became Chief Minister in November 2019. He had ordered a stay on the car shed construction in the Aarey Colony.