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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court has allowed the Western Railway to cut 2,612 mangrove trees for the 5th and 6th lines between Borivali and Virar.

A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar was hearing a petition filed by Western Railway seeking permission to cut the trees for the construction of the new lines.

The fifth and sixth railway lines between Borivali and Virar are being constructed under Phase III-A of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) at a cost of Rs 2,184 crore.

The 26 km lines are expected to increase the frequency of trains beyond the western suburbs.

As per an earlier judgment of the high court, the permission of the court is required for the felling of any mangrove trees.

The high court said that the construction of new lines will reduce emission, alleviate traffic congestion and conserve fuel. 

"The railway system is an eco-friendly mode of mass transportation and one of the most efficient in the world. The construction of these lines will reduce emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and conserve precious fuel. Therefore, in our opinion, the project is overwhelmingly in the public interest and has significant ecological benefits," the order reads. 

However, the high court directed the authorities to plant 7823 mangroves before cutting 2616 mangroves.