Mumbai Water Blockage Near Aarey Metro Depot Endangers 284 Trees
A severe water blockage near the Aarey Milk Colony Metro car depot has placed nearly 300 trees at risk, raising alarm among environmentalists and city planners. The site, adjacent to the Line 3 (Colaba–Bandra–SEEPZ) car depot, has witnessed extensive waterlogging following the obstruction of a natural drain that once connected to the Mithi River.
Experts warn that if not urgently addressed, the stagnation could destroy a decade’s worth of compensatory afforestation.Environmental groups have reported that around 284 mature trees, planted as part of the Metro’s compensatory afforestation scheme, are now surrounded by stagnant water. Many of these trees were originally planted by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) to offset the loss of green cover during construction. “These trees are nearly ten years old and were thriving until the natural water channel was blocked,” said an environmental activist who inspected the site this week. “Continuous waterlogging will cause the roots to rot, eventually killing the trees.”
The issue highlights recurring lapses in urban hydrology management where infrastructure expansion often disregards natural drainage systems. A report by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), submitted to the Supreme Court in 2023, had earlier confirmed that the plantation site was performing well, with species such as Mahogany, Kadamb, and Jambhul growing healthily. However, recent site visits by local environmentalists reveal that the situation has drastically deteriorated due to poor drainage maintenance.
A civic official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said preliminary inspections are being planned to identify the obstruction and restore the natural flow of water. “If the blockage is man-made or linked to adjacent infrastructure work, corrective action will be taken immediately,” the official said.The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny from the Supreme Court, which had earlier criticised Maharashtra authorities for low survival rates in compensatory afforestation projects. Out of more than 20,000 trees planted across various Metro-related sites, only half were found to have survived, according to official data.
Experts say the Aarey episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban infrastructure development and ecological preservation. As Mumbai continues to expand its Metro network, environmental planners are urging for integrated water management systems that protect green zones from collateral damage. “If the city aims to be climate-resilient, every project must treat ecology as core infrastructure not an afterthought,” noted a senior urban planner.
