Mumbai: Several trees are slated for removal in Andheri East to get rid of the hawkers at Old Nagardas Road, some of which are 30-40 years old. In April this year, residents from the area complained that several trees near the road were being cut without any notices put on them. When citizens and activists intervened, it was found through an RTI, filed by activist Zoru Bhathena, that the trees were giving the area a shabby look and were to be cut for road widening, maintaining traffic and to prevent hawkers menace and encroachments between the trees. Following the opposition by citizens, the tree cutting was halted for months, however it resumed again on Tuesday.
Uma Modi, a resident of the area, said, “Five trees were axed today. The tree officers say that hawkers encroach these areas due to trees. But, the hawkers only sit there during the evening, after 5pm. How can they say that the trees are being cut as an attempt to remove hawkers?”
“They say that the trees are causing traffic issues, but shockingly, there is no signal at the junctions of the road,” she added.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) notice, 35 trees will be transplanted from the road. Sources of tree authority maintained that the tree cutting is being carried out for road widening. “Some of the shops and old structures are very near to the trees, they will have to demolish them to widen the road,” said Zoru Bhathena.
Earlier this year when the trees were chopped, the BMC had planted palm trees in the area. The locals claim that many of them have already been destroyed.
