In way of Mithi project,250 trees and a possessive Shiv Sena

“The open space was created as a garden with funds from Nawalkar and Joshi over a decade ago when they were MLAs. It’s an old garden and there is no need to cut trees for the Mithi’s diversion,” said leader of the House Sunil Prabhu.

He added that the diversion plan can be modified and the trees saved. “Even local residents are opposed to tree cutting and we are of the view that the Mithi could be diverted along some other way,” he said.

Municipal Commissioner S Kshatriya has asked officials to explore the possibility of saving as many trees as possible. Tree Authority Committee members will now survey the spot.

Local Congress corporator and MLA Rajhans Singh said,“It is absurd that the Sena wants to save these trees because they have been planted with their leaders’ funds. If the Mithi is not diverted at that spot it will again cause flooding. The diversion course has been recommended by the MMRDA after studying it scientifically. It cannot be changed on the whims and fancies of some leaders.”

He said that Sena was creating problems because of their issues with Congress leadership,which controls the MMRDA. “Residents are not opposed to tree cutting,” Singh said.

Of the 252 trees,105 will be cut down and 147 trees replanted. According to the new policy of the Tree Authority Committee,more trees will be replanted along with the 147 trees on the Dhirubhai Ambani School premises at Bandra-Kurla Complex.

The other 1,839
While the Sena and the Congress fought over 252 trees in Kurla,there was no discussion to save 1,839 tress that would be chopped by the MMRDA to make way for the monorail. These include 771 from Wadala to Chembur and 1,068 from Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk to Wadala.