‘For BJP, anyone who speaks for environment is an urban Naxal’: Aaditya Thackeray

During the event, Aaditya spoke at length on a range of issues, including municipal election-related concerns, allegations made by the BJP, Mumbai’s infrastructure projects and deposits held by civic bodies. He accused the Mahayuti government of having failed completely on environment issues. “Mumbai’s air pollution situation is serious, and the state government and municipal administration are entirely responsible for it. This government has no real concern for the environment,” he said.

Launching a sharp attack on BJP’s development agenda, Aaditya said projects being pushed in the name of development were causing large-scale environmental damage and adversely affecting public health.

Referring to mining proposals in Ghodezhari wildlife sanctuary and the Tadoba region, the proposed underground highway through Pune’s Vetal tekdi, and plans to cut nearly 45,000 mangrove trees for the Versova-Bhayander coastal road project, he said, “The BJP’s path of development takes citizens to hospitals. The party does not understand the difference between development and destruction.”

Referring to Vidarbha, Aaditya said the government is keen on starting mining at Lohargad in the Ghodezhari wildlife sanctuary. He said the mineral reserves at the site would last barely 12 months and would not generate significant revenue. “Despite this area being part of a tiger habitat, the BJP is adamant about starting mining there. This is unfortunate,” he added.

Criticising infrastructure planning in Pune, Aaditya said there was an attempt to push through an underground road project via Vetal Tekdi. “Citizens in Pune are saying this project will not make much difference to travel time and that the road is not required. Despite this, the BJP wants to dig a tunnel through Vetal tekdi. Alongside this, there will also be a tunnel for the Metro and a flyover above it,” he said.

Taking note of a Loksatta report which stated that thousands of acres of land inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park were being handed over to developers, Aaditya demanded that the government revoke the decision. He alleged the government’s focus was on regularising bungalows in the Yeoor forest area within the park.

Thackeray also recalled protests in Nashik’s Tapovan area against the felling of trees. “I personally went there and submitted a written assurance that the trees would not be allowed to be cut,” he said.

He said that for the Versova–Bhayander coastal road project, around 45,000 mangrove trees would be cut, even though a change in the project design could have saved them. “Development and environmental protection can go hand in hand. That has been possible in the past,” he said.