Navi Mumbai: 400 trees set to be axed for Vashi flyover, activists raise objection

NAVI MUMBAI: Activists and former Vashi corporators have taken strong objection to the construction of a 2.3 km long flyover from Mahatma Phule junction to Kopri, since 400 trees are slated to be chopped for this Rs 362 crore project alleged to favour just a few commercial complexes on the Palm Beach road.
Former NMMC corporators Vikram Shinde and Divya Gaikwad have written to the civic body to cancel this expensive Kopri flyover so that the green cover can be saved, and another affordable solution can be sought to minimize any traffic congestion here.
However, formal notices have already been pasted on trees indicating NMMC's plan to build this major infrastructure. The NMMC has decided to extend the suggestion / objection before axing the trees and will seek state. government nod for the same.
“The Vashi sector 17 area has less green cover and cutting 400 trees will have severe impact on the public health owing to rise in air pollution. I have written to NMMC to stop tree cutting and the flyover construction. The flyover is being constructed only to favour four commercial complexes who have illegally opened entry from the Palm Beach road, thus increasing traffic woes,” said Vikram Shinde.
Divya Gaikwad added, "In 2016-17, the then NMMC commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had taken strong action against the Satara Plaza tower in Vashi for allowing vehicles to enter inside from the rear side. If a restricting wall is built along the road going to Kopri, then the traffic flow will become smooth and there will be no need for an expensive flyover here. Just a few commercial towers are being `gifted' this flyover so that they can illegally have backside entrance."
“The four-lane flyover is expected to be constructed by April 2024. The contractor NCC Ltd has to obtain tree cutting / transplantation permission as per rules to commence the work,” said Sanjay Desai, city engineer of NMMC.
“The process for tree transplantation has been initiated but the suggestion/objection period will be suitably extended. State government approval will be sought for tree cutting/transplantation as the number trees are much more,” said NMMC commissioner Abhijit Bangar.
“The flyover construction work was initiated long ago to make the Palm Beach road and Thane-Belapur road 'End-to-End Signal Free’ as part of the traffic management report. I cannot comment on any favour being given to commercial complexes,” said Bangar, in reply to our query.
RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan stated: "It is unconstitutional to cut any trees for the project since there is currently no Tree Committee in NMMC. Hence, permission of state government will be sought and perhaps granted. However, the NMMC notice seeking objections and suggestions for cutting trees was not placed in any leading English or regional newspapers, which is wrong."