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The Supreme Court today directed the DMRC to file an application before the Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) under the Forest Conservation Act seeking permission for felling of trees with regard to Phase IV expansion plan of the metro.

Chief Conservator of Forests has thus been directed to forward the application so received with its recommendations within one month to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

On November 11, a bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna had reserved orders on the DMRC's application.

DMRC had identified over 10,000 trees which were proposed to be cut for the expansion work of the Janakpuri-RK Ashram, Maujpur-Majlis Park and Aerocity-Tughlaqabad corridors but had not obtained the  requisite permission for chopping them. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for DMRC had submitted that the report by the Central Empowered Committee set up by the Supreme Court had said that it was not a forest land.

He had further contended that the project was in public interest, which would reduce vehicular traffic from IG Airport to Delhi.

Advocate ADN Rao who had been appointed as an Amicus Curiae, had further submitted that if the Court found that the said area was a forest area then forest clearance, compensatory afforestation and payment of money would be needed.

The Delhi Government while submitting that it was not objecting to the development of metro, clarified that it just wanted the DMRC to follow the law for the purpose of obtaining the requisite permission for felling of trees. 

The Court has now also asked DMRC and GNCTD to evolve a plan of action to plant tree saplings in the city and submit it before Court within 12 weeks.