Maha Metro Continues with Zero Mile Road Underpass Despite High Court

Despite the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court filing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the Zero Mile road underpass, Maha Metro officials have proceeded with work on the project. The agency argues that since the High Court has not issued a stay, they are permitted to continue. 

The underpass is intended to connect the Institute of Science with Manas Square, passing below Morris College Square on Wardha Road. However, the project has faced criticism for being unnecessary, with environmental concerns about the proposed felling of over 100 fully grown trees.

Environmental activist Jaideep Das brought the issue to the High Court's attention, highlighting that the project was unnecessary due to low traffic on the road and the lack of a traffic study. 

Additionally, he noted that a new road from the Institute of Science to the Zero Mile Metro station was constructed only three to four years ago, rendering the underpass redundant. In response to Das's letter, the High Court filed a suo motu PIL, appointing Advocate Kuldeep Mahalle as the amicus curiae to prepare a detailed case, scheduled for a hearing on May 7.

The court is considering multiple points raised by Das, including the potential environmental impact and the waste of public funds due to recent road construction. Despite claims that actual construction work has not yet started, Maha Metro has barricaded a portion of the road and put up signs indicating that the project is underway.

Metro's source maintains that work can proceed as long as there is no formal stay from the High Court, leading to public concern over the project's continuation despite ongoing legal proceedings.