Come help us plant more trees in city: MMRCL to Mumbaikars

MMRCL issued a call to plant trees along the alignment of Metro Line 3

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has urged residential buildings, commercial establishments, and government offices to participate in tree planting within their premises. MMRCL will handle the provisions for planting, and maintenance of trees for the next three years. This initiative aligns with the high court directive requiring MMRCL to plant 2,600 trees along Metro Line 3. To date, approximately 500 trees have been planted from Colaba to Aarey, with additional land needed to meet the target.

MMRCL has issued a call to plant trees along the alignment of Metro Line 3 within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, as mandated by their affidavit to the high court. MMRCL has invited various establishments, including government and private offices, residential complexes, educational institutions, and hospitals (with full occupancy certificates), to participate in this tree-planting initiative. Applications should be submitted by July 15. Premises within 500 meters on either side of the MML-3 corridor will be prioritised for the plantation efforts.

A concerned official of MMRCL said, "As per the affidavit submitted by the MMRCL to the high court committee, we have to plant around 2,600 trees on either side of MML-3 corridor. We have already started planting near Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, and Mahalaxmi areas. We planted around 500 trees and can plant a few more in the remaining places. But to complete the target, we appealed to the establishments and residential complexes in the periphery of 500 metres to join the plantation." He also added that the responsibility and maintenance of these trees will remain with the MMRCL for the next three years.

The Bombay High Court Metro 3 Committee expressed displeasure in April 2024 against the slow speed of restoring tree cover that was destroyed for the construction of Metro Line 3 by the MMRCL. In May 2017, the high court directed the MMRCL to give an undertaking that it would replant the trees and take care of them till the completion of the project. It has asked MMRCL to dig and keep ready 75 per cent of tree beds on the pavement above every underground station by June 9. Large-sized trees are to be planted in these tree beds. Application form for tree plantation can be downloaded from the website.