Mumbai: Once again, the BMC’s road department penalised a contractor Rs 50,000 for damaging and cutting tree roots during excavation for the city’s mega concretisation project. The violations occurred on five roads—Jivba Atmaram Raul Road, Old Prabhadevi Road, Metal Box Lane, Veer Santaji Lane, and Famous Studio Lane—spanning South Mumbai’s Prabhadevi and Mahalaxmi areas.
According to the notice served to the contractor by the roads department, while the work of strengthening and improving various major roads is entrusted to them and is in progress, a note was received from the assistant superintendent of gardens (ASG), G/S ward. The note stated that the contractor excavated the road and, due to negligence, damaged and cut the roots of trees along that stretch. Additionally, it mentioned that digging was done within a one-meter radius of trees, damaging the root zone, thus violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders. The office staff inspected the sites and found root damage, which may lead to serious harm to trees in the near future, especially during the monsoon. The notice, a copy of which is with TOI, added that a penalty of Rs 50,000 is imposed for the initial lapse.
Earlier this month, BMC’s G South Ward penalised a road contractor Rs 20,000 for damaging tree root zones during excavation work on Rajabhau Desai Marg in Prabhadevi. These notices come amid growing criticism of Mumbai’s ongoing cement concrete road projects, which have been blamed for endangering roadside trees. A PIL was already filed in court, challenging the unchecked cementing of roads without adequate consideration for existing greenery. Meanwhile, across the city, almost 60 notices have been issued by the civic gardens department to the roads department due to trees being affected during road repair works.
