Pending proposals not to be taken up until May-end

Mumbai: Due to the code of conduct coming into force for the Lok Sabha elections, even if the new tree authority is constituted in the next eight to 15 days, it will not serve the purpose of expediting pending proposals.

Government organisations do not take any decision during the code of conduct that can influence voters. Many infrastructure projects in the city have been affected due to pending proposals for removal of trees.

The proposals pending sanction involve around 8,000 trees to be axed, including 2,700 for the Metro 3’s (Colaba-Seepz underground) car-shed to come up at Aarey Colony.

The high court last year restrained the tree authority from taking any proposals as the authority did not have any tree experts but only municipal councilors.

Shiv Sena deputy leader and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav said, “The tree authority won’t be taking any decision as the code of conduct for elections has started. New or pending proposals won’t be taken up until May end.” The code of conduct ends after the election results are declared on May 23.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd had approached the high court recently, about the urgency of formation of the tree authority as work for the Metro 3 was affected. Thereafter, the high court directed the BMC to appoint experts soon.

However, the BMC’s garden department’s first public notice for applications by tree experts did not get the expected response and the deadline for application was extended.