Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has expedited the tunnel road work underneath the Palm Beach Road in Sanpada Sector-19. The underpass opposite the Moraj Circle area has been under attention over the proposed axing and transplantation of 440 trees. The state tree authority had green signalled the tree issue in June 2023. However, the civic body tree authority again took up the clearance. As per the decision 329 trees will be relocated and 111 will be axed. The civic chief, Kailas Shinde had declined to make any change to the subway plan. The work has started opposite the Kesar Solitaire building. Locals and activists have been at loggerhead with the NMMC over the tree issue. They have been pressing for an alternate solution. However, the NMMC through its contractor has put up a notice board, plastic net barricades and started excavation at the site using excavators. —Umesh K Parida
