PUNE: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench here on Friday constituted a multi-member team of experts under the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) for assessing the impact of the Pune Metro Rail construction work on the 1.7km stretch of the Mutha river bed.The bench of Justice U D Salvi and expert member Nagin Nanda directed Neeri as well as Maharashtra Pollution Control Board ( MPCB ) and Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board to nominate senior scientists specialising in the fields of hydrology, ecology, biodiversity and water pollution on the expert committee. The panel will submit its report by next hearing on November 14."The expert committee shall visit the site(s) of construction(s) of Metro Rail and proposed route and take photographs, collect samples and carry out local investigation as deemed necessary to assess impact of construction on ground water recharge, biodiversity in the river bed, free flow of the water, risk of flooding, debris disposal, water and air pollution and also mitigating factors involved therein," the bench said."The expert committee shall study whether the impacts assessed by them individually or cumulatively are irreparable or not and make their recommendations, if any, in that regard," the bench said. While the MPCB has to provide all logistic support to the committee, the cost of this scientific investigation is to be borne jointly by the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro). The PMC and MahaMetro have to make an initial deposit of Rs2.50 lakh with the MPCB for this purpose, the bench added."The PMC has been directed to furnish copies of the development plan of Pune city and Metro Rail to the committee. Project consultant Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and project executioner MahaMetro have been directed to furnish detailed project report along with environmental assessment report, if any, to the expert committee," DMRC's lawyer Saurabh Kulkarni told TOI.Since May last year, the green tribunal has been hearing an application by architect Sarang Yadvadkar and others challenging the Metro Rail route alignment passing through the Mutha river bed stretch on the grounds that it will badly impact the eco-system of the river.Both, Yadvadkar and his lawyer Asim Sarode, said, "In spite of strong opposition from MahaMetro and PMC, the NGT has constituted the panel. We welcome this ruling. The same will lead to a scientific study and rational evaluation of the impact of the project on Pune river."

Stay updated with all the Pune Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.