The 15-20 tribal families living in Aarey colony have alleged that for the past fortnight or so, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has been carrying out the work of Metro 3 in full swing. This is not the first incident when the tribal communities have complained about the construction work in the car shed area inside Aarey forest. Immediately, a week after ordering a stay on the construction of metro car shed in Aarey by the Chief Minister in November 2019, the residents of Prajapurpada, who belong to the Kokna tribe, have alleged that intense noise and vibrations are heard which causes their utensils to fall off from the shelves. “We have been unable to sleep because the construction work goes on day and night. The vibrations are weakening our house walls. Earlier too we had complained about cracks developing on our walls. Metro officials come for inspection and leave while our complaints aren’t addressed,” said Sangeeta Kharvi, housewife.

At the same time, activists of Save Aarey movement have written to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday on behalf of residents of Prajapurpada. “This area cannot be seen from the main road and hence Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) is continuing with their work without the knowledge of police department,” reads a line in the e-mail.

There have been similar incidents in December 2019 and January 2020 where activists and locals have raised complaints against the ongoing work inside the metro car shed area. The activists have clicked pictures which showed the work of ramp for Metro 3. According to the activists, the sheet piles have been laid and it is difficult to undo that. Another activist observed that when the stay order has been passed, why electrical lines are being laid?

Amrita Bhattacharjee, member of Aarey Conservation Group, who visited the site, said a ramp is being built for the entry of rakes into the car shed, which is causing inconvenience to the locals.

“When the CM has stopped the work, and there are talks for an alternate site to be considered for the car shed, what is the purpose of building this ramp? The work needs to stop immediately,” said Bhattacharjee.

A fortnight back, the residents of Prajapur Pada complaint of continuous work going in the car shed area from morning 8am till night 10pm. They claim that some people from MMRC came with JCB machines to create path for water to flow through our mini-farm where we harvest,” said Ashabai Bhoye who is a tribal residing there

While CM’s office was unavailable for comments, spokesperson for MMRCL said that no work is underway at Aarey.

We hope CM’s office acts with astute stringency in curbing all construction-related activities inside Aarey forest ranging from illegal occupation of forest and chopping of trees by slum dwellers to construction of ramp inside the car shed area. The fastest way to tackle all such activities aimed at confiscating the forest land is by declaring Aarey as a forest.