The Bombay high court on Tuesday gave oral directives to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) and state government not to cut any trees in the Aarey forest area for the construction of a metro car shed till September 30. The HC adjourned the hearing of a clutch of petitions against the proposed project in Aarey colony and listed them for 30 September.

During the hearing, division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharati Dangre said that they were planning to personally visit the site proposed to be used for the car shed.

The high court on Tuesday said it would look into the question whether Aarey Colony is a forest, and if it is not, can the court issue a direction that it be declared a forest.