В Мумбаи глубокое строительство и бетонирование дорог угрожают падением вековых деревьев

Advertisement Pali Hill’s trees losing ground Diwakar Sharma | Jul 07, 2026, 04:00 IST Residents blame excavation for three-four basement levels and road concretisation for weakened decades-old tree roots, making the area’s iconic green canopy increasingly vulnerable during the monsoon Unable to build higher because of aviation-imposed height restrictions, developers in Pali Hill are constructing three to four basement levels to fully utilise the permissible Floor Space Index (FSI). Residents say the extensive underground excavation is coming at a cost above ground, disturbing the natural spread of tree roots, weakening their anchorage and leaving decades-old trees increasingly vulnerable to collapsing during heavy rain and strong winds. The concern comes after five large trees fell and six others lost massive branches over the past two days in the upscale Bandra neighbourhood, disrupting traffic and raising fresh concerns about public safety. “This underground construction frenzy, along with aggressive road concretisation, is choking and destabilising the root systems of decades-old trees,” said Pali Hill Residents’ Association (PHRA) secretary Madhu Poplai. “The price of underground development is being paid by our iconic green canopy.” According to the association, deep excavation cuts through the natural spread of tree roots, while concretised roads and footpaths seal the soil, reducing the water, air and space roots need to grow. Together, these factors weaken the structural stability of mature trees. “The height restriction for towers in Pali Hill is 79 mtrs AMSL. The trees could have been saved had proper safeguards been taken during road concretisation. Redevelopment has been haphazard, with developers forced to dig from plinth level to sea level to utilise their FSI instead of building higher,” Poplai said. Although civic workers cleared the fallen trees and branches quickly, residents said repeated incidents are becoming increasingly common during the monspoon. “While complying with the height restrictions, the city cannot ignore the environmental consequences of deep excavation. Trees are paying the price,” PHRA chairman Sorabh Chagti said. The association has also flagged another consequence: damaged surveillance infrastructure. Repeated tree and branch falls have snapped CCTV cables and damaged cameras installed across the neighbourhood. “Several cameras have gone defunct after trees and heavy branches brought down connecting wires, severely affecting surveillance in the area,” Chagti said. PHRA has demanded weekly risk assessment audits of trees during the monsoon. Residents also say redevelopment and road works are steadily reducing the open soil around tree trunks, leaving trees with less space to breathe and develop healthy root systems. The residents’ association uses CCTV cameras to monitor redevelopment projects and ensure builders comply with local guidelines, but believes greater scientific scrutiny is needed. It has called for an independent study to examine whether deep basement excavation and extensive road concretisation are contributing to tree instability. Known for its tree-lined avenues, celebrity bungalows and luxury residences, Pali Hill now faces the challenge of balancing redevelopment with environmental protection. Residents warn that unless construction practices account for the underground ecosystem supporting mature trees, Mumbai’s prized green canopy will remain at risk of collapsing—one tree at a time. The concern comes after five large trees fell and six others lost massive branches over the past two days in the upscale Bandra neighbourhood, disrupting traffic and raising fresh concerns about public safety. Advertisement “This underground construction frenzy, along with aggressive road concretisation, is choking and destabilising the root systems of decades-old trees,” said Pali Hill Residents’ Association (PHRA) secretary Madhu Poplai. “The price of underground development is being paid by our iconic green canopy.” According to the association, deep excavation cuts through the natural spread of tree roots, while concretised roads and footpaths seal the soil, reducing the water, air and space roots need to grow. Together, these factors weaken the structural stability of mature trees. “The height restriction for towers in Pali Hill is 79 mtrs AMSL. The trees could have been saved had proper safeguards been taken during road concretisation. Redevelopment has been haphazard, with developers forced to dig from plinth level to sea level to utilise their FSI instead of building higher,” Poplai said. Although civic workers cleared the fallen trees and branches quickly, residents said repeated incidents are becoming increasingly common during the monspoon. “While complying with the height restrictions, the city cannot ignore the environmental consequences of deep excavation. Trees are paying the price,” PHRA chairman Sorabh Chagti said. The association has also flagged another consequence: damaged surveillance infrastructure. Repeated tree and branch falls have snapped CCTV cables and damaged cameras installed across the neighbourhood. “Several cameras have gone defunct after trees and heavy branches brought down connecting wires, severely affecting surveillance in the area,” Chagti said. PHRA has demanded weekly risk assessment audits of trees during the monsoon. Residents also say redevelopment and road works are steadily reducing the open soil around tree trunks, leaving trees with less space to breathe and develop healthy root systems. The residents’ association uses CCTV cameras to monitor redevelopment projects and ensure builders comply with local guidelines, but believes greater scientific scrutiny is needed. It has called for an independent study to examine whether deep basement excavation and extensive road concretisation are contributing to tree instability. Known for its tree-lined avenues, celebrity bungalows and luxury residences, Pali Hill now faces the challenge of balancing redevelopment with environmental protection. Residents warn that unless construction practices account for the underground ecosystem supporting mature trees, Mumbai’s prized green canopy will remain at risk of collapsing—one tree at a time.