Times of India: Mumbai: Sunday, 11 August 2024.
Approximately Rs 2 lakh per tree has been spent on planting and maintaining a tree by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), which is executing the Metro Line 3 project.
In response to queries under the Right to Information Act filed by activist and advocate Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation, R Ramana, Director (Planning) MMRCL, said the organisation has planted 584 trees at a total cost of approximately Rs 12 crore. The RTI states the awarded tenders were for the supply, delivery, plantation, and maintenance of advanced nursery growing trees. The maintenance period is three years after plantation. Between Dharavi to SEEPZ for ten Metro stations, it cost Rs 3.7 crore. Between Mumbai Central to Shitaladevi for eight stations, it cost Rs 3.4 crore, and from Cuffe Parade to Grant Road, it cost Rs 4 crore.
Pimenta said it was an astronomical sum and must be investigated.
“Several NGOs plant trees at a cost of Rs 200 and the BMC has fixed it at Rs 800. Where is the comparison? Also, there is absolutely no maintenance. One only needs to make a site visit. For instance, at Picnic Point in Aarey Colony close to the metro car shed, the planted trees are growing on their own.” he alleged. Clara Lewis
Approximately Rs 2 lakh per tree has been spent on planting and maintaining a tree by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), which is executing the Metro Line 3 project.
In response to queries under the Right to Information Act filed by activist and advocate Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation, R Ramana, Director (Planning) MMRCL, said the organisation has planted 584 trees at a total cost of approximately Rs 12 crore. The RTI states the awarded tenders were for the supply, delivery, plantation, and maintenance of advanced nursery growing trees. The maintenance period is three years after plantation. Between Dharavi to SEEPZ for ten Metro stations, it cost Rs 3.7 crore. Between Mumbai Central to Shitaladevi for eight stations, it cost Rs 3.4 crore, and from Cuffe Parade to Grant Road, it cost Rs 4 crore.
Pimenta said it was an astronomical sum and must be investigated.
“Several NGOs plant trees at a cost of Rs 200 and the BMC has fixed it at Rs 800. Where is the comparison? Also, there is absolutely no maintenance. One only needs to make a site visit. For instance, at Picnic Point in Aarey Colony close to the metro car shed, the planted trees are growing on their own.” he alleged. Clara Lewis
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