Mumbai: Over 60 trees illegally axed on Andheri link road to expose hoardings; no fir after 8 months

The felled trees are now stumps barely 1.5 to 2 feet tall that won’t grow again. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Over 60 trees were illegally cut down from the central divider of Andheri Link Road to provide a clear view of commercial hoardings, allegedly benefiting a private firm. Despite BMC filing two formal complaints and submitting evidence to the police, no FIR has been registered even after eight months. According to the BMC, the trees were cut without permission. Photographic evidence, including images of the truck allegedly used in the activity, was handed over to the Amboli police station, yet no action has been taken to date. Remaining now are just stumps, barely 1.5 to 2 feet tall.

With the trees gone, activists fear reckless crossing of the road by pedestrians, which otherwise was not possible. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Filmmaker and activist Ashoke Pandit, who first raised the issue with authorities, said, "This is nothing short of daylight robbery, it's breaking the confidence of the people. The BMC has itself filed the complaint and even submitted solid proof, including pictures of the truck used. If everything is in place, what is the reason behind the delay in police action?" Captain Rakesh Coelho, trustee of the Oshiwara Lokhandwala Citizens Foundation, said, "The trees were hacked down, not trimmed. They won't grow back again. It's as if there's a steel ball chained to the administration's leg; what is stopping them from filing an FIR?"

"The removal of these trees is also actively contributing to local heat buildup, as they play an important role in maintaining the temperature of urban spaces. The trees along Andheri Link Road were originally planted not just to beautify the area but also to discourage pedestrians from crossing the busy road dangerously. With the trees gone, the divider is no longer a safe barrier, raising safety concerns for commuters," said Pandit.

The BMC has reportedly banned two of the hoardings involved, but the demand for legal action remains unresolved. The hoardings in question are reportedly linked to Bright Outdoor Media Ltd, though no official confirmation or response has been received from the company. On June 14, the Oshiwara Lokhandwala Citizens Foundation will be planting around 100 new saplings along the stretch where the trees were cut down.