The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has come under intense scrutiny following revelations that INR 2 lakh was spent on each of the 584 trees planted along the Metro 3 route.
This figure, disclosed in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, has sparked a significant controversy, raising questions about the expenditure on environmental mitigation efforts associated with the metro project. The MMRCL’s response indicates a total expenditure of nearly INR 12 crore for the planting, transplantation, and maintenance of these trees across 13 locations. However, discrepancies between reported costs and the actual state of many trees have led to public outcry.
When NDTV investigated the condition of trees at the metro car shed in Aarey, where a substantial number of trees were cut down for construction, the results were alarming. The trees appeared neglected, with some withered and others marred by iron nails. This situation has intensified concerns among environmentalists and residents who had already opposed the deforestation in Aarey for the metro car shed. The MMRCL had initially proposed to cut 2,298 trees, with subsequent approvals reducing the number to 270 trees for removal. The compensatory measures included transplanting and planting new saplings, but the current state of these efforts suggests potential mismanagement.
An official of the Watchdog Foundation, who filed the RTI query, has criticised the expenditure, labelling it as excessive and indicative of possible financial mismanagement. According to Pimenta, the expenditure per tree amounts to INR 2,05,000, a stark contrast to the significantly lower costs reported by other organisations and civic bodies. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), for instance, spends approximately INR 800 per plant during its own drives, and various organisations report costs as low as INR 200 per sapling.
The environmental guidelines mandate that for every tree cut, three saplings should be planted and maintained for at least three years to ensure ecological balance. The current controversy underscores a pressing need for transparency and accountability in environmental compensation practices related to large infrastructure projects. The Watchdog Foundation is now calling for a detailed investigation into the expenditures and maintenance practices, emphasising the necessity for rigorous oversight to prevent misuse of funds and ensure that compensatory afforestation efforts meet their intended objectives.