‘Won’t let MMRDA cut trees till details are given’

The BMC Tree Authority refused to consider any request from the MMRDA seeking permission to cut trees till it submits a detailed report of how many trees have been transplanted. According to BMC officials,the MMRDA has cut close to 900 trees till now as a part of the Metro project but has failed to show how many were transplanted.

Corporator and member of the committee Ameet Satam said despite informing MMRDA to furnish the details at three meetings,it has failed to act. As per rules,any person,organisation or government agency seeking to cut trees for infrastructure expansion has to either transplant the uprooted trees or plant twice the number of trees cut.

“MMRDA has been seeking permission for cutting trees to make way for the Metro line since 2008,but hasn’t been committed to transplantation. We will not give any further permission till we are assured that the trees are being replanted,” said Satam.