Over 1,700 saplings planted without adequate gaps on road under Atal Setu, 10% die

NAVI MUMBAI: Activists and locals have raised serious concerns over not maintaining adequate gap while planting around 1,738 (serially numbered) saplings on both sides of Shivaji Nagar-Nhava village road passing under the Atal Setu. Both road owners — PWD and Cidco — are unaware of who planted the saplings about a month ago. Around 10% of the saplings have already died while only 5 of the 100 transplanted have survived, claim activists and locals.

Apart from the fact that it is not the planting season, varieties like Karanja and Rain tree require a minimum of 15 ft area in radius upon their growth. However, these trees were planted on a 2-km-long stretch by keeping a gap of just about 3 feet from the road and around 5 feet in between them.

The saplings, around 4ft in height, include Indian almond, Alstonia, Banyan, Neem, Mango, Gulmohar, Coconut, and Cluster fig (Gular), among others. A local contractor denied his role when government agencies set out to make enquiries.

Nhave village activist Hanuman Bhoir alleged the plantation site has no mention of its owners or project on the PWD side of the road. “No proper gap has been maintained. Watering was done during dark hours for a few days after plantation, a month ago, but stopped,” said Bhoir.

Prakash Mhatre, a local, complained that most of the transplanted trees have died due to lack of water and the summer heat. “Only 4-5 transplanted trees are alive and around 10% saplings have died,” he said. PWD deputy engineer (Uran) Naresh Pawar said the saplings were planted without permission. “Search is on to find out who planted the trees and for what purpose, but saplings cannot be removed.”

One of the Cidco assistant executive engineers (Ulwe-II) said, “We are clueless about this and had checked with PWD but to no avail. The land ownership status around the road will be checked.”