The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will investigate allegations of tree trimming at the mayor's official bungalow on Ghole Road in Shivajinagar. The inquiry follows objections raised by activists regarding the trimming.
Naval Kishore Ram, PMC commissioner, stated on Wednesday that the details of how permission was granted would be checked, and a report would be drafted within the next week.
According to activists, 19 trees were trimmed. They claimed the trimming was unnecessary and should have been avoided. The activists highlighted that civic officials, responsible for protecting and nurturing trees, carried out the trimming. They noted the irony that the trimming occurred on April 22, celebrated as Earth Day.
The mayor's office clarified that the trees were trimmed because they were dangerous and posed a threat of falling.
Additionally, the civic body chief announced that PMC would intensify action against illegal ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants. Civic officials said a drive against such projects had been conducted in areas including Lohegaon and Khandvenagar earlier this month. However, residents of Dhayari also demanded demolition of these plants in their areas.
The action followed citizens' complaints. According to officials, these plants cause major pollution, with unregulated RMC vehicles posing accident risks and making life unbearable for residents. The plants create dust clouds leading to respiratory ailments, and many fatal accidents have been caused by speeding RMC vehicles. Residents urged that these facilities be shifted away from residential areas.
