Shivani Thakur
Published on: April 7, 2022 at 17:20 IST
The Bombay High Court, asked the Central Government and the Maharashtra Government to resolve their differences outside the Court and decide whether or not the car shed for the Mumbai Metro needs to be shifted from the city’s Kanjurmarg area to Aarey Colony.
A Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni urged the Authorities to forget the past and focus on Serving the Public.
The Center and The Maharashtra Government are yet to reach a consensus on the site for the construction of a car shed for the Mumbai Metro.
The Union wants the project to take place in Aarey Colony, as decided by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who ordered the cutting of thousands of trees in the area. But the present Government led by Uddhav Thackeray has decided to shift the project from Aarey to Kanjurmarg
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Central Government, tried to clarify that technical issues have arisen and thus the project is stayed. But the Chief Justice interrupted, saying,
“Mr. Singh, we know what is happening… We are all here to Serve the Public…. Why to bring personal differences in the Court? Why don’t you both (Union and State) resolve your issues outside this Court?”
“We are doing this for a larger public interest for the Citizens of Mumbai in the long run… We are consulting experts in the field, who have also recommended shifting the project to Aarey Colony,” Additional Solicitor General said.
During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General highlighted a Letter Written by the under Secretary of the Central Government’s Urban Development Department to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.
“All that we can say is end this stalemate now. Try to forget the past opinion and start with a new beginning,” Chief Justice Datta remarked
Court adjourned the matter till June 10.
“If there is no solution by next week, then we will proceed to decide the matter on merits,” the Bench said.
Also Read: Bombay High Court passes a stay order in the Mumbai Metro Car Shed Project