Mumbaikars support Metro 3 project but want the government to take into consideration the environmental impact it will have on the city. 
The Metro 3 project is being constructed to connect Cuffe Parade to SEEPZ and ease the traffic woes of the citizens. On the other hand, the development comes at the cost of reducing the city’s green cover as many trees have been cut to make way for the project in south Mumbai. Mumbaikars are in favour of development but according to them it must have minimal impact on the environment. They said that some balance must be maintained to conserve the environment for future generations. Citizens also added that if trees continue to be cut in this manner then temperature will rise in the city and it will cause lot of hardships for people.
Sudeep Bhandari, a Marine Drive resident said, “We support the work of the ongoing Metro 3 project in the city. However, the government must also take into consideration the environmental impact it will have on the city. The government must conduct an audit of how many trees will have to be cut and how many of them will be replanted in the city.”
Kiran Mehta a businessman from Girgaum said, “The metro project will definitely be a boon for south Mumbai residents. However, the manner in which trees are being cut to make way for the metro construction work doesn’t augur well for the city.”
Ramesh Doshi an accountant employed with a financial services firm in Nariman Point said, “Whenever such a project is being constructed the government must ensure that enough trees are being replanted to overcome the loss of trees cut in the city. The government only makes tall claims about replantation but it seldom gets implemented.”
Vinay Jain, a stock broker from Charni road said, “Even though infrastructure projects are being planned in Mumbai but there has been a sharp decline in the open spaces in the city. Often trees are being cut in the name of development but nobody thinks about conserving environment. Steps must be taken to plant as many trees as possible.”
Activists had protested the cutting of trees as many of them stood close to the trees to prevent them being cut for the metro construction work. Some people had climbed the trees to protest chopping of trees.
According to them, metro implementing agency lacks necessary permissions to cut trees near Churchgate station. “The MMRC had obtained permission from Tree Authority to cut the trees but they need CRZ clearance for Churchgate station which they don’t possess,” said Zoru Bhatena, a tree activist.
Police had detained five persons for disrupting the tree cutting work. Even though the Supreme Court had granted permission to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) for undertaking tree-cutting activities, but it has also allowed the citizens to approach a committee formed by Bombay High Court with their grievances.
The Bombay High Court had refused to grant a stay on the cutting of trees for the Metro 3 project and asked MMRCL to file its reply to a petition filed by Kunal Birwadkar. Birwadkar has alleged that the authority has been felling trees that were initially not supposed to be chopped.
