👥 Residents Unite #2 : Stopping Work Until We See the Trees 27-02-2025

When local residents noticed tree cutting without replanting, they sprang into action. 
Will their efforts bear fruit?

Rolling off from last week's efforts demanding safety of the residents due to the ongoing Tunnel Construction, this week saw a different form of protest.

This week, MEIL took to cutting off the trees from the garden shared by Neelkanth Greens, Cosmos Lounge, and Satyashankar Residency.

While residents have managed to accept the trade-off that comes with infrastructure development, they were faced with a new hurdle - the re-plantation of the cut trees.

On Tuesday, 25th February, one of the residents, Mr. Gautam Dighe, wrote:

"Today morning when 25 labourers were about to start the work, I stopped them. They called four bouncers who tried to frighten me since I was alone.

Immediately, my friends Tony Singh and Pralhad Borse came to support me.

Our demand was simple - show us the replantation space and we will allow you to work.

I also called the TMC garden department head and complained about the contractor and the bouncer.

The TMC head also called the contractor and instructed him to show the space for replantation and go ahead with the work.

We realized that the contractor didn't have any space to replant the trees. A total of 122+ 130 trees were ordered to be cut down from the depot to Verraton.

Realizing the lack of permission for replanting, at least 40 residents poured down to protest against the cutting of trees without proper planning.

Fuelled by their commitment to protect the greenery, the residents stood their ground. Their collective power was a sight to behold as they united to defend what they believed was right. 

As the hours passed, the tensions mounted. 

The protesters remained firm in their stance, refusing to back down until the contractor showed them the re-plantation plan.

Finally, after intense negotiations and heated arguments, the contractor relented. To help with the smooth sailing of this project, there is a meeting being held tomorrow at 12 PM at Neelkanth Green’s Clubhouse with the contractors.

Here's to the residents' power! Time to show up, neighbors! 

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."