The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to develop green stretches along the Eastern and Western Express Highway by growing around 5 lakh bamboo plants. Civic chief I S Chahal said, “In the first phase, bamboo will be planted along the Eastern Express Highway from Bhandup to Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli. The tendering work of the cultivation of 8,100 plants in the process.” The garden department is identifying feasible locations to grow around five lakh plants.

Explaining why the civic body decided to plant bamboo, an official cited research that revealed that bamboo emits 35 per cent more oxygen compared to trees. “This is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint. Also, bamboo is a low-maintenance plant compared to others and is a fast-growing species,” the official stated. “We will find suitable locations to plant bamboo along the highways. The species of bamboo will decide as per the availability of land for plantation,” he added.