After receiving permission to cut the trees, in the next phase, assembling and staging will be taken up. “The staging site that is selected will be used for operating cranes. These trees must be removed for the smooth operation of the crane,” a BMC official stated

Dhaval Shah, a resident of Andheri West and civic activist, said, “The BMC had planned to complete the first phase of the bridge by May. But, they woke up in June and found out that they need to cut trees. Are they serious about the project?"

“These trees are not affecting the alignment of the bridge. For girder launching we need to create a solid platform,” said a BMC official

According to the BMC notice, there are 10 trees at the spot five of which are being impacted are coming in the way of a crane that will be moved to carry out staging and will be used to launch girders

Karan Jotwani, another resident, “Eight months after the bridge was shut, why the sudden realization that trees needed to be axed? Wasn’t there any planning? Also is the November deadline still on, given these last-minute surprises?”