NMMC starts tunnel road work underneath Palm Beach Road; trees to be hit

Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has expedited the tunnel road work underneath the Palm Beach Road in Sanpada sector-19. The underpass opposite the Moraj Circle area has been under attention over the proposed axing and transplantation of 440 trees.The state tree authority had green signaled the tree issue in June 2023. However, the civic body treeauthority again took up the clearance.As per the decision 329 trees will be relocated and 111 will beaxed.The civic chief, Kailas Shinde had declined to make any change to the subway plan. The work hasstartedoppositethe Kesar Solitaire building.Locals and nature activists have been at loggerhead with the NMMC over the tree issue. They have beenpressing for an alternate solution. However, notwithstanding their demands the NMMC through itscontractor has put up a notice board, plastic net barricades and started excavation at the site usingexcavators.The notice board mentions that the Rs 33.80 crore works will be executed within 18 months excludingone rainy season. The work starting date has been mentioned as December 15, 2015 and completion asOctober 14, 2027.A local resident, V Krishnan said, "I had seen some excavation work in the first week of April withvehicles parked around. The full swing work started this week with parking of four wheelers seennearby. So far the trees have not been touched upon."The locals and activists had organized human chain protests at the site and also opposite the mainentrance of the NMMC headquarter. Their protests did not yield any satisfactory result. Legal optionswith suggestions for a change in the plan have been explored by the locals and activists.