Mumbai: Atleast 2,413 trees have been damaged since October 1, 2024 in the city due to the ongoing road concretisation works, utilities laying and other developmental works, the data from BMC's garden department says. As per the sources, BMC has issued as much as 348 notices to contractors for damaging tree roots zones while carrying out road digging, while seven police complaints are also filed.

The numbers emphasis intensity of harm the infrastructure works is causing to the enviornment. While, the BMC has fixed the deadline of May 31 to complete the on-going road works in the city, there are several complaints of poor quality and haphazard work carried out by the contractors.

A fallen tree after damage caused during road digging in Vile Parle

Notably, the BMC is currently working on the concretisation of 1,173 roads spanning 433 kilometers, with 260 roads completed in Phase 1 and 496 under construction in Phase 2. The civic body aims to complete 324 kilometers of road concretisation in Phase 1 before the monsoon.

"Total 26 trees have fallen due to digging work from October 1, 2024 since the work started post-monsoon. While total 2,413 trees have been damaged all over Mumbai due to road developement and utility agency digging work. Seven police complaints (NC) have been filed till now and the police will now investigate the matter and take action against contractor as per Maharashtra (Urban Area)Tree Protection & Preservation Act 1975," an officer from the garden department told the FPJ on Monday.

A tree fell in January on Tilak Road, Ghatkopar during road digging. Work carried storm water drains department of BMC

"Out of the seven cases, five are registered on P/North (Malad West) for damaging trees and NC is filed in Malad, Dindoshi and Kurar police stations. While, one case each is registered in K/ West and K/East wards (Andheri, Vile Parle)," the officer said.

Commenting on the issue, environmentalist Zoru Bhathena said, "Every other road in Mumbai is dug up and the number of trees damaged due to road works is way higher than 2,413. The intensity of city's green cover loss will be visible when these weakned trees will collapse during monsoon."

There have been several complaints raised by the citizens on quality of road concretisation work. To address the issues, a brainstorming workshop with BMC engineers was held last week at the IIT Bombay. The discussion focused on improving quality, overcoming challenges and resolving concerns.

Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Project) while addressing the session had stated, "During road construction, engineers must be present at the actual work site. While work is being expedited, the focus must remain on maintaining high quality."

The FPJ tried to reach out to BMC's Chief Engineer of Roads department, however, he was unavailable for a comment.

• Total trees damaged due to road concretisation and utilities laying works - 2413

• Total notices issued to contactors for damaging tree root zones - 348

• Police complaints filed - 7

• Wards where maximum notices issued for damaging tree roots

P/South (Goregaon) - 64

H/West (Bandra, Khar, Santacruz West)- 55

R/Central (Borivali) - 51

P/North (Malad West)- 45