MMRDA project to affect over 700 trees along express highway; pink trumpet trees also likely to be cut

Mumbai | Updated: October 11, 2025 09:48 PM IST

3 min read

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued notices on several trees along the Eastern Express Highway, alerting residents about their planned felling or transplantation to make way for ongoing infrastructure works. The action will cover the stretch from Airoli to Chheda Nagar approximately 12 Km, impacting hundreds of Pink Trumpet trees, known for their striking winter blooms in shades of vibrant pink along the Eastern Express Highway. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 11-10-25, Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pasted notices on several trees along the Eastern Express Highway, alerting residents about their planned felling or transplantation to make way for ongoing infrastructure works. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Over 700 trees along the Eastern Express Highway stretch are likely to be affected due to the MMRDA project that seeks to construct an elevated road linking Ghatkopar and Thane’s Anand Nagar. According to officials, Tabebuia rosea trees along Vikhroli–which bloom during winter months and become a major attraction point for commuters on the stretch–are also likely to be affected due to project works.

Inviting suggestions and objections from citizens on the tree-cutting proposal until October 16, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has put up notices on nearly 706 trees along the Eastern Express Highway. Of the total trees, over 315 trees are likely to be permanently cut while the rest will be transplanted.

Spanning a stretch of 12.95 km, the MMRDA has commenced work to construct an elevated corridor between Cheddha Nagar in Ghatkopar and Anand Nagar in Thane to expand the highway. The elevated corridor will be built along the Eastern Express highway, starting from Ghatkopar.

Officials said that nearly 706 trees have been identified along the alignment of the MMRDA project and are set to be affected. According to officials, the earmarked trees are in three wards under the BMC jurisdiction including N ward (Ghatkopar), S ward (Bhandup, Vikhroli) and T ward (Mulund).

The tree felling or relocation will cover the stretch from Airoli to Chheda Nagar, which is approximately 12 km, impacting hundreds of Pink Trumpet trees, known for their striking winter blooms in shades of vibrant pink along the Eastern Express Highway. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Responding to questions, officials from the department confirmed that Tabebuia rosea trees, a large cluster of which thrive along the Eastern Express Highway in Vikhroli, are also proposed to be impacted as they have been identified along the project alignment. Commonly known as pink trumpet trees, the ‘Tabebuia rosea trees’ blossom during the winter and form a thick pink canopy on the Vikhroli- Kanjurmarg highway stretch, much to the delight of people.

Having received a proposal from the MMRDA, the BMC has now invited suggestions and objections from citizens to the plan for cutting and transplantation of 700 trees with senior officials stating that the responses will be heard on October 16.

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