Pune-Nagar road : PMC cuts 35 fully grown trees for free movement of vehicles despite residents objections
By: Pune Pulse
August 24, 2023
Pune: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has cut down 35 huge trees near Shastri Nagar Chowk on the Pune-Nagar road citing that it poses a danger to motorists and commuters. Most of these trees were found near Matruchhaya Co-operative Housing Society near Shastri Nagar Chowk.
Speaking to Pune Pulse, Upendra Vaidya, Sub Engineer, PMC Road Department said, “PMC officials & traffic police officials recently conducted a detailed survey about the causes of traffic bottlenecks, accidents & mishaps happening etc on Pune-Nagar road. It was found out that 41 trees were the main reasons causing traffic blockades & hindrances. Hence, the PMC has cut down 35 of the 41 trees. We have taken all the relevant permissions to cut the trees. Due to these trees, not only traffic movement was hindered but also several accidents and deaths have taken place.”
“As compensation for the trees cut, we will replant it in other nearby places in some time. As per the original development plan (DP), the width of the Pune-Nagar road near Shastri Nagar Chowk is 60 metres. But, even after cutting down trees, it has become approximately 50 metres. For now, we are not going to remove or take action on the BRTS corridors here,” he further added.
As per information, all 41 trees, which were included in a proposal submitted in 2015, are situated near Shastri Nagar Chowk on Pune-Ahmednagar road. They were supposed to be cut down to make way for the BRTS. However, protests broke out and the trees were saved. However, on August 22, PMC’s road department chopped down 35 trees out of 41, claiming they were blocking traffic heading towards Kalyani Nagar. Though the PMC has cut down the trees, several citizens have raised strong objections against this.
Qaneez Sukhrani, the citizen activist in Pune, expressed her anger against the move, she said “It is a complete massacre. How can the PMC cut so many trees? It is a murder of the green lungs of the city. The PMC is saying that they will replant the cut trees. However, in terms of providing green cover, the replanted trees will take many years to grow. How will natural shelter be provided till that time? If the reason for cutting trees was traffic build-up and many lanes required to clear and smoothen traffic movement, why are the useless BRTS corridors not being scrapped? This is my long-standing demand which has been ignored. PMC cuts trees that cannot speak for themselves. Hence, I demand strong action against the person who denied me a hearing and yet cut trees. I have submitted my strongest objection to the PMC. Any action going ahead must be status quo until I get a call for a hearing.”
