By Apurva Bhatt

After protest in Aarey Colony for the Metro 3 carshed, now Cuffe Parade residents have come together to protest against a Metro station which will come up in Colaba. A group of residents from Cuffe Parade have written to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation ltd (MMRCL) fearing the loss of Colaba Woods one of the oldest open spaces in Cuffe Parade to the construction of a new station for the proposed Metro 3.

They worry that the plans to built a metro station on the said garden premises is going to be detrimental to the well being of many children from nearby by slums and colonies that come there to study every day free of cost. Remarks Mona Malhotra one of the resident, “We are pro development too but development should take place keeping in mind the citizens and environmental well being. We have in fact suggested an alternative plot where the authorities could have the proposed metro station which is barren land nearby itself and not being used by anyone. We believe rather than felling trees in this fully functional garden taking a plot not in use would be an ideal option."

The residents of Cuffe Parade recently met the authorities as well at a public consultation but were unhappy with the 'standard' replies they received from them they claimed. In January and February 2015, one letter each has been sent to the authorities by residents of the area. Manjeet Kriplani another residents said that with several structures in their area having a heritage value therefore any kind of development should be done in consultation with the citizens and keeping in mind the preservation of the heritage structures.

 When contacted  Ashwini Bhide, managing director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation LTD (MMRCL) said, "At the moment only 20-30 per cent of the garden space is needed. We are working to minimize the land requirement further. We do not know whether the space in which the education is being imparted is also getting affected. Moreover, the space that has been earmarked is bald patches. Also, this space is reserved for public utility." She also assured that the alternate arrangement will be worked out if it is necessary.