118 trees to be chopped or transplanted for Wadala-Kurla rly line

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared a proposal to cut and replant 118 trees for to make way for the upcoming Wadala-Kurla railway line. The proposal was submitted to the BMC’s Tree Authority for approval on Friday.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared a proposal to cut and replant 118 trees for to make way for the upcoming Wadala-Kurla railway line. The proposal was submitted to the BMC’s Tree Authority for approval on Friday.

A senior civic official said, “Of the 118 trees, 65 will be chopped down and while the remaining 53 will be transplanted elsewhere. A total of 251 trees are on the proposed route, and 91 of these will also have to be trimmed.”

The purpose of this third railway line between Wadala and Kurla is to divert goods trains that operate for the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The new 5.6-km track will reduce delays on the Harbour line. Presently, goods trains delay Harbour services by about 20 minutes. According to Central Railway sources, six such goods trains operate for MbPT daily.

Devendra Amberkar, a Tree Authority member, said, “The proposal was passed as it is necessary to eliminate the interference of goods train. We have asked the railways to transplant the trees properly and submit a report to the committee.”

Meanwhile, some Tree Authority members alleged that 66 trees have been hacked illegally at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Trombay. However, BMC officials have not confirmed this.