The Indian Express                     29.03.2013

Civic body to cut 1,000 trees for sewage plant

BMC will soon cut 1,000 trees to pave the way for a sewage treatment plant in South Mumbai.

The sewerage disposal project department (SDPD) has sought
approval from Tree Authority Committee to cut nearly 1,000 trees to
expand the Colaba pumping station and build a sewerage treatment plant
on the premises.

“The plant costing around Rs 72 crore will treat about 35 milllion tonnes of sewage per day,” claimed SDPD officials.

“The trees are being cut for a civic development project. The
committee has given its approval,” said Amit Satam, chairman of the tree
committee.

A tree department official said: “Of the 1,000 trees, we have
planned to transplant 600 across the city. We will also decide what kind
of trees can be planted in specific areas to get best results.”

The committee also okayed a proposal to cut 60 trees to widen a
nullah near Bombay Oxygen Company in Mulund and another to chop 188
trees in Kandivali (East) to widen Akurli Road.

However, a proposal to fell 246 trees in Borivali (East) to make way for a mall and multiplex was kept on hold.

“We have sought more details regarding the proposal to cut trees
in Borivali for a mall. Most of the trees being cut for the sewerage
disposal plant are small and can be easily re-planted,” said Shubha
Raul, Shiv Sena corporator and tree committee member, adding that even
potted plants had been counted in the proposal.