referring to the answer given to Unstarred Question No. 3644 on August 23, 2004 and state :
(a) whether the information has since been collected ;
(b) if so, the details thereof ;
(c) if not, the reasons for delay ;
(d) whether 49 trees have also been removed, destroyed afterwards by the contractor in first week of July, 2005 ;
(e) if so, the complaints / representations received from MPs. in this regard ; and
(f) the action taken thereon ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a),(b)&(c) The Parliament assurance given on 23.8.2004 in respect of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3644 has been fulfilled vide Ministry’s O.M No. 6-7/2004-FPD dated 15.10.2004. A copy of the implementation report furnished to Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs as well as Lok Sabha Sectt., in fulfillment of the assurance is placed at Annexure.
(d) The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
(e)&(f) No complaints or representations from MPs have been received so far in this Ministry regarding removal of 49 trees by the Contractor in the first week of July, 2005, along the Eastern Express Highway.
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) (b) & (c) OF THE LOK SABHA USQ NO. 2226 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 8.8.2005 .
IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
Reply to Part (a) & (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3644 answered on 23.08.2004
The stretch of highway between Mulund and Sion is popularly known as Eastern Express Highway. The widening work of this highway to make it 14 lane highway is in progress. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is the coordinating agency for the work. The widening work has been started on Mulund- Ghatkopar stretch only. During the widening work some trees appear to have been cut / damaged. As per the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban area) Protection and preservation of Tree Act, 1975 permission of competent authority is required to fell trees. The Contractor / MMRDA did not seek the permission of the competent authority to fell/ remove trees coming in way. No agency is in a position to provide the exact number of trees cut/damaged on the Highway. However based on the media report and complaints by Shri Kirit Somaiya, Ex MP the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has lodged complaint with respective Police Station as per following details:-
Details of complaints lodged with Police Station.
S.No. Location Complaint Lodged under No.
1 Sr. Inspector of Police, Vikhroli Police Station, CAN/486/Gen/MN, dated 7.8.2004. Karunamwar Nagar, Vikhroli (East) Mumbai - 400 083.
2 Sr. Inspector of Police, Vikhroli Police Station, ACS/OD/1311/AEMS, dated 25.7.2004. Karunamwar Nagar, Vikhroli(East), Mumbai - 400 083.
3 Sr. Inspector of Police, Navghar Police Station, AEMT/399/Gen, dated 27.7.2004 Mulund(East), Mumbai.