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.