To cut approval delays: Mumbai civic body allows 9 agencies to trim trees without its permission

The civic body believes that the move will prevent tree fall incidents by cutting approval delays.

In a first, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to allow nine agencies, including two private firms, to trim trees without its permission. It believes that the move will prevent tree fall incidents by cutting approval delays.

The permission to trim trees has been given for a period of next three years, a civic official said. (HT Photo)

These agencies are involved in providing basic amenities such as water supply, electricity and transport services.

The agencies include two private firms — Tata Power and Reliance Energy. The rest are government agencies: the Central Railway, Western Railway, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Mumbai Monorail authority, Airport authority and Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB).

The permission to trim trees has been given for a period of next three years, a civic official said. The BMC officials claimed that owing to delays in giving permissions, tree fall incidents put many lives in danger during rains. Therefore, it has decided to waive off the approval requirement, to cut unhealthy branches of trees.

Of the 29.75 lakh trees in the city, 15.63 lakh are in private compounds and 11.25 on government premises. The rest are on roadside, and in gardens and parks.

“The organisations will also have to send a report of the work to the BMC every three months. This measure has been taken to avoid any delays in giving permissions for trimming.” he added.