Alleging that the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) was violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, which restricts any work from being carried out at the Aarey colony, those operating tabelas AT Unit 19 as well as environmentalists held a protest on Friday noon against soil testing machines being deployed. According to Rahil Nandolia, one of the licensees who runs a tabela at Unit number 19 of Aarey Milk Colony and was active in arranging a protest, it was on Thursday night that soil testing machines were brought and set up at Unit number 19 close to Jogeshwari Vikroli Link Road (JVLR). “On Wednesday contractors of MMRCL came to our site and they told us that they have to start work on construction of a ramp. In fact when we informed them about NGT orders prohibiting any work inside Aarey and asked for permission, they told us that they have permissions, we will have to go to MMRCL office to see the documents,” said Nandolia, adding that they were also surprised when the soil testing machines were brought late at night on Thursday and hence they quickly organised a protest. They also submitted letters to the Aarey Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as well as Aarey police station on Friday itself. Several people who run tabelas at Aarey gathered in support along with members of Aarey Conservation Group (ACG). “How can they simply barge into land allotted to us by dairy department and not even show us permissions to start work? Also we have 44 houses and tabelas in Unit 19 and have not been given any information on where our houses and tabelas will be rehabilitated,” said Nandolia, adding that it was an extremely defiant attitude by MMRCL officials who seems to have no respect for the orders of NGT. In fact the locals are even planning to file trespassing case against MMRCL and block the access road that leads to the site where the soil testing machines has been set up. Meanwhile, Stalin Dayanand, who is part of the ACG, which has been protesting against the Metro car shed inside Aarey colony, said that they had a meeting with the locals who have been allotted tabelas in unit 19 and are supporting them. “What is the hurry for MMRCL which simply wants to start work and not even wait for the NGT judgement? We will also raise this issue in front of NGT as well,” he said.

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