The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved the removal of 126 trees for a major rehabilitation housing project in Powai, enabling construction of homes for more than 4,000 project-affected families (PAPs). The decision marks a key milestone in the city’s efforts to expand rehabilitation housing and support ongoing infrastructure development.
The permission was granted by the BMC’s Tree Authority after reviewing the proposal submitted under the redevelopment project. The housing scheme is intended to provide permanent accommodation for families displaced by various public infrastructure and development projects across Mumbai, while also freeing up land required for future civic works.
According to civic officials, tree removal has been restricted to the minimum area necessary for construction and has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
As part of the approval conditions, the project developer will be required to undertake compensatory plantation and transplant trees wherever technically feasible to reduce the environmental impact of the project.
The Powai rehabilitation scheme is among several proposals recently examined by the Tree Authority involving tree removal and transplantation for redevelopment, transport infrastructure and other public projects across Mumbai.
The project is expected to strengthen the city’s rehabilitation housing programme by providing permanent homes for project-affected persons. Such housing plays a crucial role in facilitating major infrastructure projects, as eligible families can be relocated before work begins on roads, metro corridors and other public developments.
At the same time, permissions involving tree removal continue to draw scrutiny from environmental groups, which have urged authorities to closely monitor compensatory plantation drives and improve the survival rate of transplanted trees.
Urban planning experts have also stressed the need to incorporate adequate green spaces, landscaping and sustainable design into redevelopment projects to compensate for the loss of existing vegetation.
With Mumbai witnessing rapid redevelopment and large-scale infrastructure expansion, civic authorities continue to face the challenge of balancing environmental conservation with the growing demand for housing and public infrastructure.
The Powai rehabilitation project reflects this approach by combining urban development with measures aimed at preserving and restoring the city’s green cover while creating much-needed housing for thousands of displaced families.
Source: Prop News Time
