Environmental groups to form silent human chain to protest against Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to axe 440 trees for proposed underpass at Sanpada along Palm Beach Road

Navi Mumbai: Environmental groups and city residents will form a silent human chain on March 1 at 8.30 am to peacefully protest against NMMC's decision to axe as many as 440 full-grown trees for the proposed underpass to be constructed at Sanpada along Palm Beach Road, opposite Kesar Solitaire building in Sector 19, Sanpada.The protest will be organised by Palm Beach Greens Forum and supported by NatConnect Foundation and Sanpada Senior Citizens Group. The organisers claim that around 200 people are expected to participate in the silent human chain.
According to NMMC, the proposed underpass project aims to provide major traffic relief, improve road connectivity, and create a more efficient travel corridor. The project received approval from the Bombay High Court in Dec 2025. However, major concerns were raised by the residents after NMMC's notices stated that 111 trees were slated for felling and 329 for transplantation. Residents argue that the decades-old trees form a vital green buffer along the arterial road and question the logic of transplantation, pointing out that survival rates of mature trees are often below 40%.Shrikant Patki, convenor of Palm Beach Greens Forum, said, "We are not against development, but infrastructure must be planned responsibly. Alternatives such as an elevated road or flyover should be examined before destroying existing green cover. We already submitted formal objections to NMMC in response to notices pasted on the trees for felling and transportation of 440 trees."Sanpada recorded hazardous air quality levels on New Year's Eve, residents said, describing the situation as a growing public health concern. Activists claim that it took 10 to 12 years for a tree to grow to a size where it could meaningfully contribute oxygen and ecological balance. They say citizens cannot afford to lose existing greenery, and hence demand protection of the existing green cover and a ban on indiscriminate tree felling.BN Kumar, the director of NatConnect Foundation, said, "The city's per capita tree cover is about one tree per person, against an urban norm of three. We need to triple our tree cover just to reach acceptable standards. Instead, we are debating cutting 440 mature trees. The need of the hour is strict implementation of the ‘3-30-300' urban forestry formula across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region — three visible trees from every home, 30% canopy cover in each locality, and access to a green space within 300 metres — a global benchmark seen as essential for cleaner air and climate resilience."