Vasai | September 8, 2026 — The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s tree-pruning drive ahead of Ganeshotsav has triggered opposition from residents and environmental activists, who allege that trees are being cut excessively to make way for festival arches and advertising banners.
The reported pruning has taken place along the main road between Gokul Township and Agashi in Virar West. According to the report, trees planted along both sides of the road have grown substantially and improved the area’s appearance. Residents allege that branches are now being removed under the guise of pruning, even where trees are relatively short, located on one side of the road and have smaller branches.
The criticism has focused on what residents describe as a contradiction in the civic administration’s approach. While authorities are appealing to citizens to celebrate an environmentally friendly Ganesh festival, green trees are allegedly being cut to ensure the visibility of festival welcome arches and advertising banners.
Residents and environmental groups have also raised concerns about the method of pruning. They allege that the branches are being cut unevenly and without following scientific procedures. Improper pruning, they say, could disturb the balance of the trees and increase the risk of them leaning or being uprooted during heavy rain and strong winds.
The report cites tree-authority rules requiring pruning to be carried out in a specified and scientific manner. Residents have demanded action against contractors and officials responsible if the cutting was undertaken only to accommodate advertisements or political festival arches.
Swati Deshpande, the municipal corporation’s deputy commissioner in charge of the Tree Authority, said the department would conduct an on-site inspection of the locations where pruning had taken place. The inspection would examine whether the pruning was necessary and whether it had been carried out for advertising purposes, she said. Deshpande added that action would be taken if the review established that the work was undertaken solely to facilitate advertisements.
The civic inspection is expected to determine whether the reported cutting complied with tree-pruning requirements and whether any further action is warranted.
