The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a comprehensive tree trimming drive in the R/South ward of Mumbai, covering both Kandivali East and West.
Scheduled from April 21 to April 26, the civic initiative is aimed at preventing accidents caused by overgrown or weakened branches during the upcoming rainy season and improving urban greenery management. According to civic officials, the trimming campaign is a part of the city’s larger pre-monsoon strategy to mitigate risks from tree falls and ensure uninterrupted public movement and infrastructure function. The drive will cover key roads in Kandivali East such as Corporation Bank Road, Suffire Height Road, Thakur Stadium Road, and Thakur Village, while in Kandivali West, the identified stretches include Trikamdas Road, Bunder Pakhadi Road, and Shantilal Modi Road.
Civic engineers from the garden department explained that the schedule was designed after site surveys and condition assessments of trees in dense residential and traffic-prone areas. Overhanging branches not only pose risks to pedestrians and motorists but also interfere with electric lines and visibility, especially during high winds and heavy rainfall. In past monsoons, the city recorded numerous incidents of tree falls, leading to road blockages, injuries, and even loss of life. To facilitate smooth execution of the drive, the BMC has issued an advisory urging citizens not to park vehicles along the designated roads during the trimming period. Parked vehicles obstruct trimming machinery and delay operations, while also posing a hazard if weakened branches fall unexpectedly. The civic body has announced it will disseminate daily updates and road-specific schedules across its social media platforms and through ward offices, enhancing citizen awareness and cooperation.
Officials noted that this operation is a part of a decentralised and ward-wise approach undertaken by the BMC to maintain Mumbai’s 29,000-strong urban tree cover in a more responsive manner. While the trimming campaign prioritises safety, it also aligns with broader urban ecological goals, including maintaining tree health, reducing the risk of structural damage to properties, and enhancing the aesthetic quality of public spaces. Urban forestry experts have welcomed the move, stressing that regular tree maintenance plays a critical role in sustainable urban planning. Overgrown or ill-maintained trees are a major concern in high-density cities like Mumbai, where the interplay of infrastructure, population, and climate change amplifies the impact of natural hazards.
Residents in Kandivali, particularly in housing clusters near the designated roads, have been encouraged to report any hazardous tree conditions to ward offices for inclusion in the trimming schedule. BMC officials assured that skilled teams equipped with cranes, pruning tools, and safety gear will carry out the operations to minimise disruption and environmental stress on the trees. While the tree trimming initiative is a routine pre-monsoon activity, its scale and focus this year indicate an increased emphasis on climate-resilient city infrastructure. In recent years, Mumbai has faced severe challenges due to urban flooding, high wind events, and power line disruptions during monsoons. Initiatives like this not only ensure public safety but also reflect an evolving understanding of how green infrastructure intersects with urban resilience.
The BMC’s commitment to keeping citizens informed and engaged through public updates and social media reflects an important shift towards transparent, participatory governance. Officials indicated that post-trimming evaluations will be carried out to assess coverage, gaps, and any urgent follow-up needs. The city’s civic planners continue to walk a tightrope between expanding infrastructure and preserving green cover. While trimming is necessary for safety, maintaining the integrity and longevity of trees remains a priority. Officials clarified that no trees will be removed during the drive unless deemed structurally unsound or posing an immediate threat.
As Mumbai prepares for the monsoon season, the Kandivali tree trimming campaign offers a glimpse into how integrated urban care can ensure both ecological balance and citizen safety in one of India’s most densely populated metros.
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