The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has embarked on a significant environmental initiative, committing to the in-situ planting of over 2,000 trees near the station locations of the Mumbai Metro Line-3, also known as the Aqua Line.
This undertaking, valued at INR 12 crore, is in response to directives issued by the Bombay High Court, ensuring that the Metro project adheres to environmental and regulatory standards. The tree plantation effort is divided into three key stages. Initially, saplings are cultivated in nurseries spanning 2 hectares until they reach a girth of 46 cm. In the second phase, these mature trees are transported from the nurseries to designated planting sites around the Metro-3 stations.
The final stage involves a three-year maintenance period to monitor the trees’ growth and replace any that fail to thrive. In an official statement, MMRC outlined the process, noting, “In compliance with the Honourable Bombay High Court’s directives, MMRC has commenced planting 2,931 trees near Metro-3 station locations, with an overall expenditure of INR 12 crore.” The project has been segmented into three contracts—Pkg. 19, 20, and 21—totalling INR 12,01,66,136, equating to approximately INR 41,000 per tree.
This initiative is distinguished as a pioneering approach within India’s infrastructure sector, where the responsibility for growing, transporting, planting, and maintaining trees has been entrusted to contractors. This comprehensive model ensures that the costs associated with this specialised process are reflective of its complexity, rather than traditional tree planting operations. As of August 12, 2024, 683 trees have already been successfully planted at various station sites.
The progress and success of this in-situ plantation programme are subject to ongoing oversight by a High Court-appointed committee, which ensures that all activities align with judicial instructions. Despite receiving authorisation to remove 3,772 trees for the Metro-3 construction, MMRC has undertaken the removal of 3,093 trees, preserving 679 trees at their original locations.
