The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Tree Authority has approved the removal and transplantation of trees required for a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project at Hiranandani Udyan in Powai. The decision comes after the civic body was informed that the developer will provide more than 4,000 free rehabilitation homes for project-affected persons (PAPs) linked to various infrastructure projects undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the SRA.
The proposal sought permission to remove trees affecting the redevelopment of plots 23A (Part), 26A (Part) and 27 (Part), now designated as New Plot No. 23/9/2, at Powai village in Kurla taluka. The application was submitted by developer Bhawanishankar H Sharma through architect Vishwas Satodia on December 9, 2025, and was subsequently revised after deficiencies identified by the civic body were addressed in March and April this year.
Joint site inspections carried out by BMC officials and the project architect on February 21 and March 4, 2026, identified a total of 144 trees within the project site. Of these, 126 trees were found to be affected by the proposed construction and excavation works.
The Tree Authority approved the felling of 44 trees and the transplantation of 82 trees, while directing that the remaining 18 trees be retained within the project area.
According to the proposal, the civic body had earlier granted permission in October 2022 for the removal of 95 trees, resulting in 60 trees being cut and 35 transplanted. However, changes in the redevelopment layout required the developer to seek fresh approval for a revised tree proposal.
A letter submitted by the project architect on July 15, 2026, stated that a tripartite agreement had been signed between the MMRDA, the SRA and developer Bhawanishankar H Sharma.
Under the agreement, the developer has committed to constructing approximately 4,000 rehabilitation flats free of cost for project-affected families displaced by infrastructure projects undertaken by the MMRDA and the SRA.
The proposal also noted that the housing stock will be used to rehabilitate families affected by the Mithi River widening project, for which the Maharashtra government issued a notification in July 2010. The additional rehabilitation housing is expected to support the implementation of major infrastructure and flood mitigation projects across Mumbai.
Source: The Times of India
