Environmental activists have slammed the BMC for not holding a public hearing over the proposal to chop 177 trees in Aarey, citing the Covid-19 pandemic. “There is not a single Covid-related restriction in the city; buses, trains and roads are jam-packed,” pointed out activists and demanded they be heard. They also demanded an extension of the deadline to submit objections, which expired on Monday. Not a single Covid-19 case was reported in Mumbai on Tuesday, and before that, the count was in single digits.

The last date for sending email stating suggestions/objections against the removal of 177 trees in Aarey Milk Colony expired on January 23. City-based nature lovers and environmentalists have demanded a deadline extension and a public hearing, either online or offline. BMC’s Tree Authority published a notice on January 16 to get approval from the municipal commissioner/chairman.