As many as 523 trees from the 993 that were transplanted due to the ongoing Metro work at Aarey Colony have died. This was discovered by the HC-appointed team during a recent inspection.

Environmental activist Zoru Bhathena visited eight sites in the colony where the trees were transplanted. "All I can say is that people with limited or close to zero knowledge are carrying out the transplantation and post-care. Even hardy trees like Pipal, which grow anywhere, are dying at the hands of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL). Only 470 trees have survived." He also alleged that this once again proves that MMRCL did not take care of the saplings. "Let's also not forget that MMRCL had promised to get the world's best arborist (tree doctor) from Singapore, even claiming it would pay him Rs 2 lakh a month. These are just some of the lies from MMRCL's long list, Bhathena added.