BMC to axe 157 trees

As the monsoon arrived and the city gets its first pleasant showers, everyone started thinking of the green. But the civic body has proposed to hack 157 trees across the city. The decision is likely to be taken in the Tree Authority's first meeting after the summer, scheduled on June 10.

The committee is chaired by civic chief, and gives permissions to cut the trees in the city which are obstructing infrastructural or developmental projects. Tree authority is also meant for increasing the green cover over the city. In last few months the committee has only discussed the issue of tree cutting and gives final nod for the same.

There are various developers and government agencies who have asked permissions to axe 157 trees. Out of which MMRDA has asked permission to cut 27 trees for its metro-one project at Andheri. And central railway has requested to allow them to cut two mango trees at Reay Road Station for expansion of its administrative building.

Shaina NC, BJP leader expressed her displeasure over the move. “There is no planning to protect the green cover of the city,” she said.