Road works to be at least a metre away around tree trunks

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) garden department in a recent circular directed other departments to leave at least one-metre space around tree trunks for any work. The circular, dated December 5, was issued to the roads and traffic, stormwater drain (SWD) and hydraulic engineering departments for all ongoing and proposed works.

According to the circular, it was observed that the roots of the trees were often concretised during widening, resurfacing and improvement of roads, which restricted the growth of trees and weakened their roots.

This is the first circular that mentioned a specific distance around the trunk’s circumference for any work.

Deputy municipal commissioner, Kishore Kshirsagar, who heads the garden department, said “This is the first time such a circular with specific instructions

has been issued. It applies to all road and footpath work and not plantation in open space. In case there is any existing tree on the road or footpaths where any work is proposed or is ongoing then there must be at least a metre space.”

The circular also made it mandatory to keep space for planting new trees along both sides of the roads. Environmentalist Zoru Bhatena said the circular is an excellent opportunity to save trees in the city.