The NGO has planted trees along the highway
Speaking on the occasion, Mohite Patil encouraged other NGOs to emulate Yuvak Pratisthans resolve to beautify the Suman Nagar-Mulund checknaka stretch of the Eastern Express Highway.
The function was organised to mark the completion of Phase I of the proposed Highway-Greenway project. In the first phase of 5 kms, three stretches between Mulund checknaka to Navghar signal, Kannamwar Nagar up to Godrej and Ramabai Nagar up to Jogeshwari Link Road have been covered.
A total of 8,000 plants and 45,000 small shrubs have been planted on both sides, including on the dividers.
Kirit Somaiya, president of Yuvak Pratisthan, informs that the Pratisthan plans to plant a total of 2,77,000 plants and shrubs along the stretch. Apart from the state PWD, firms like Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, Hiranandani, Raheja builders and local schools and colleges have also participated in the programme, Somaiya says.
The BMC has also decided to set up toilet blocks to prevent people from urinating and polluting the environment. According to Ganesh, a member of Yuvak Pratisthan, The members of the NGO are persuading the slum dwellers, who reside along the Eastern Express Highway, to preserve and protect the trees planted by the organisation.
Santosh Jadhav, resident of Pant Nagar, says, The move will prevent future encroachments on the Eastern Express Highway, besides providing a pleasant view to travellers on this stretch of road.
Ganesh adds that the project aims at creating a unique experience for travellers. Apart from plantation, the project also involves the painting of dividers to enhance the highways aesthetic appeal.
This is the first-ever case of an NGO being involved in a programme to beautify a stretch on the highway, he adds.
manthan@mid-day.com
Beautification plan for Eastern Express Highway inaugurated
Date: 2002-9-25
