CM Uddhav Thackeray stays metro car shed project in Mumbai for review

This is one of Thackeray's first decisions after assuming office following a long spell of political crisis in Maharashtra.

"Metro work will not stop but till my next decision, not a single leaf of Aarey will be cut. We have issued a stay order on the Metro car shed, and a full review will be conducted in this regard," Thackeray said at a press conference.

Owing to the project, over 2,000 trees in the Aarey Colony-celebrated as Mumbai's lung space -were eventually cut down before the Supreme Court ordered a stop on the deforestation activity.

Reacting to the decision, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "It’s unfortunate that State Government stayed Aarey Metro CarShed work in spite of Hon Supreme Court & Hon High Court orders.This shows State Government is not serious about Mumbai Infrastructure projects!
And ultimate sufferer is common Mumbaikar only ! #SaveMetroSaveMumbai"

He further tweeted: "Japan’s JICA had funded ₹15,000crore for this Metro project on nominal interest rates. Such decisions will demotivate investors to come forward in future and all infra projects will get stalled which were already delayed for so long in previous 15-year rule. #SaveMetroSaveMumbai."

Ending the political tussle in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday. He took oath at the Shivaji Park here.

Uddhav, the leader of the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance- became the first member from the Thackeray family to assume the topmost post in Maharashtra.

Along with him, six other ministers from the Sena, NCP and Congress were also sworn in by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

The alliance, which has been termed as Maha VIkas Aghadi, agreed to have only one Deputy Chief Minister which will be from the NCP.