Reckless Tree Trimming by MSEDCL Raises Concerns Among Baner Residents

By: Pune Pulse

October 6, 2023

Pune: The activity of trimming and cutting off twigs of trees by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) near the Mumbai – Bengaluru Highway in Baner has created distress among the residents.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Sameer Awar, a resident of Aundh said, “I come to have a walk frequently in this area. Usually, a person comes in the early morning and cuts parts of trees every day opposite Teerth Techno Space near the Mumbai – Bengaluru Highway in Baner. Already for 3 times this has happened and will happen one more time this week. The service road expansion work is going on there where chambers are being put. Maybe because of the overhead electricity wires, parts of trees are being felled. However, this is completely unauthorized.”

Pratap Bhosale, a resident of Baner said, “Trees are being trimmed near this area. 1/3rd portion of the trees have been cut already. In the morning time, all the parts of the trees that were cut were there on the floor. However, I got to know that this work goes on at night. But I don’t understand why this happens at night as it seems to be very shady. Also, there is a formal procedure of felling parts of trees or entire trees etc. People in uniforms must be standing at the place when this is happening. There is no reason as such for cutting off parts of trees.”

Nishikant Raut, PRO, MSEDCL Pune said, “We didn’t cut entire trees. Only twigs or very small branches of trees were cut which were touching the electricity wires of MSEDCL in the area. We don’t even have the authority to cut trees. Small branches or twigs have developed on trees which touch the electricity wires which could hamper the electricity flow, in turn creating inconvenience for people. Hence, we haven’t cut whole trees, only small parts touching or getting entangled between the electricity wires are being cut.”

Shreyas Vange