The new government in Maharashtra on Thursday lifted the stay on the construction of a metro car shed in Aarey Colony, a green belt in Mumbai’s suburb of Goregaon.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, at a meeting with Consul General of Japan in Mumbai Fukahori Yasukata, had on Wednesday assured him of fast-tracking the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded projects, which include the Mumbai Metro’s Line 3.

Addressing a media conference, chief minister Eknath Shinde and Fadnavis announced lifting of the stay, reversing a decision taken by the previous Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and one which will invite criticism from environmental groups.

Just before the 2019 Assembly elections, the proposed car shed in the forested belt had widened the gap between the then-ruling allies Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena.