For redevelopment of CSMT, 56 trees to be axed, 72 to be transplanted | Mumbai News

Mumbai: The redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) will result in the felling of 56 trees and transplantation of another 72, according to a proposal placed before BMC’s Tree Authority that was passed on Friday.The proposal, submitted by Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA), concerns tree removal and transplantation required for the redevelopment of the heritage railway terminus in south Mumbai.According to the proposal, a total of 242 trees currently exist on the project site. Of these, 128 are likely to be affected by the proposed construction work, with 56 marked for removal and 72 for transplantation.The civic body’s garden department conducted a physical inspection of the site on June 22, 2026, along with the applicant’s representative. The inspection also found that 14 trees, which had earlier been recorded as trees to be retained under a previous approval granted in February 2024, no longer exist on the site. Sharply opposing it, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Kishori Pednekar said, “It’s very unfortunate that the 14 trees which were to be retained are no longer present at the site. In such circumstances, what is the guarantee then that the 72 trees marked for transplantation would be actually transplanted too.”However, the proposal states that as compensation for the affected trees, RLDA has proposed planting 2,463 trees at two locations — RPF Barracks in Thakurli (East), spread across 14,202 sq metres, and the Mogli Dam area in Digha, covering 11,431 square metres. The total land identified for compensatory plantation is 25,633 sq metres.Ganesh Khankar, BJP party leader in BMC, said, “While we aren’t opposed to development works, my only submission was that the trees to be transplanted be put up in the civic garden in the vicinity itself. This would also ensure that the greenery of the same area remains intact.”Pednekar, however, criticised the ruling party for not taking stern opposition with regard to the 14 trees which no longer exist on the site. “When we were in power, if we felt that there was something inappropriate in a proposal, we never hesitated from raising our opposition to it, which I feel isn’t happening in the current scenario,” said Pednekar.AIMIM party leader in BMC Vijay Ubale, who is also a member of the tree authority, criticised BMC for not circulating the meeting agenda well in time, owing to which he didn’t attend the meeting. “There was no point of me attending the meeting when I wasn’t aware of the details in every proposal,” said Ubale. The meeting was eventually adjourned with only one proposal being sanctioned by the committee.