BMC to fine Bandra walkway beautifiers

Following MiD DAY's report on the alleged negligenceu00a0of trees transplanted for the project, civic body promises to take strict action if violations are established

ACTING on MiD DAY's report on the miserable state of transplanted trees on the Bandra Reclamation promenade, the BMC sent a team of officials to inspect the site yesterday.
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The civic body has promised to take strict action once the team tables its report and the violations are established.



On February 2, MiD DAY had reported ('Trees bear the brunt of walkway revamp') on BMC's Tree Authority member and corporator Vilas Chavari writing a letter to the deputy municipal commissioner (gardens department) about how those in charge of the promenade's revamp were not looking after the trees they had transplanted.

Following the report, H-West ward's Assistant Commissioner Manik Kshirsagar sent a team to the site to take a look at the condition of the trees. "Officials from the H-West ward were sent to assess the condition of the trees. We will take necessary action against the authority carrying out the beautification."

Any transplantation or cutting down of trees requires permission from the BMC and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) was granted permission for this particular project.

BMC Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale said, "If they were granted permission, it is their job to look after the trees. And, if it is found that they have not been doing so, strict action will be taken." He added that he has sought an immediate report on the issue from members of the BMC's tree authority.

Deputy Municipal commissioner (gardens department) Chandrakant Rokde said those in charge of the project will be fined if the violations are established.

"I will check with officials about the condition of the trees there and, if those in charge of the project are found guilty of not looking after the trees, they will be fined by us," he said.

Meanwhile, stressing on the need for immediate action, Chavari said, "The trees look dry and need attention immediately. It is the job of the authority carrying out the beautification of the promenade to look after it."

Facingu00a0the AXE
MSRDC is carrying out the beautification work of the Bandra Reclamation promenade. It has to transplant 364 palm trees as they are coming in the way of its designs. 270 of these have been transplanted.

The Other Side
Refuting corporator Chavari's claim, MSRDC Chief Engineer Subhash Nage had said, "We are taking care of the (transplanted) trees. We have replanted them as per our design. We have transplanted all the trees that were uprooted and it was done to fulfill the needs of the design. There has been no violation of green norms from our part."

Rs 5,000
The fine levied by BMC for each transplanted tree which has not been looked after properly