MUMBAI: BMC’s Tree Authority will consider a series of proposals seeking permission to fell trees for redevelopment, hospital construction and the upcoming Mumbai coastal road -North works at its meeting on October 21.Some of the proposals include the removal of 76 trees for a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) redevelopment scheme near New Prabhadevi Road and Elphinstone Road, 41 trees for an SRA project at Sewri, 43 trees for a proposed hospital in Kandivali and 22 trees for redevelopment project in Andheri East and Jogeshwari East. Another proposal seeks permission to cut three trees for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project North in Goregaon.At the Sewri project, Sahana Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd has sought permission to cut 41 trees and replant 30 to facilitate excavation for the plinth and basement of buildings under an SRA scheme involving Ganesh Bagh SRA Cooperative Housing Society and nine other societies. A site inspection found 74 trees, of which 71 were identified as being affected by the proposed excavation.In Worli, Skylark Buildcon Pvt Ltd has sought permission to cut 76 trees and replant 23 for an SRA redevelopment scheme involving Shri Sai Sundar Nagar SRA Cooperative Housing Society and 24 other societies. The work involves construction and excavation for buildings, podiums, ramps, a proposed drain and associated road infrastructure.In Kandivali West, a proposal submitted by Akar Architects and Consultants seeks permission to cut 43 trees and replant 54 for a proposed hospital building. A site inspection found 411 trees on the plot, of which 97 were identified as being affected by the construction. The remaining 314 trees are proposed to be retained.Another proposal concerns a combined SRA redevelopment scheme involving Jai Hanuman and Tejomay societies in Andheri East, along with Vighnaharta SRA Cooperative Housing Society in Jogeshwari East. Developer L K Housing LLP has sought permission to cut 22 trees and replant eight. The civic department’s inspection found 148 trees on the site, with some trees having been covered under earlier permissions. The proposal identifies 106 trees under the earlier approvals as relevant to the revised plan, of which 99 are proposed to be affected.For the Mumbai Coastal Road Project North, the BMC’s bridges department has sought permission to cut three trees and replant 37 near Mindspace Garden on MDP Road in Goregaon West. The trees are affected by the alignment of a temporary access bridge required for construction of the planned Coastal Road interchange bridge. All three trees proposed to be cut have been recorded as dead.The Tree Authority will consider the proposals under Section 8(2) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. The proposals are on the meeting agenda; permission for the proposed tree removal should not be construed as having been granted.(Ends)
