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BJP Corporator Targets Telecom Firms Over Tree Cables

BJP corporator Siddharth Sharma demands action against telecom firms using trees to support cables. He seeks a comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables.

Mumbai Alert · City Desk
Mumbai Alert · City Desk
City Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Tue, 01 September 2026 at 11:06 pm
BJP Corporator Targets Telecom Firms Over Tree Cables

BJP corporator Adv. Siddharth Sharma has called for immediate action to make Mumbai's trees 'cable-free' by removing cables and other devices installed by telecom and cable operators.

On Tuesday, Sharma raised the issue at the Mumbai Tree Authority Committee meeting, stating that trees cannot be treated as private infrastructure by these companies. He submitted a formal representation to the Municipal Commissioner and Chairman of the Mumbai Tree Authority, seeking concrete measures to protect trees.

The practice of using trees to support Internet, Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), broadband, and cable TV networks is widespread in Mumbai. Cables are being wrapped around tree trunks, suspended from branches, or fixed to trees with nails, screws, clamps, and other devices. This can damage tree bark, restrict natural growth, cause girdling, and weaken branches, making pruning and maintenance difficult.

Sharma has proposed a comprehensive 'Tree & Cable Audit' to identify cables installed on or attached to trees and establish the operators responsible for them. The audit will verify whether operators have the required BMC permissions, including Right of Way (RoW) permissions and NOCs. It will also identify cables that are damaging or potentially harmful to trees.

The corporator has demanded that unauthorised or hazardous cables be removed or safely relocated and that strict action be taken against operators repeatedly violating regulations. He has sought directions to the concerned departments to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 30 days or before the next Mumbai Tree Authority meeting.

The report should specify the number of trees surveyed, the number found with cables, the number of cables removed or relocated, and action taken against the concerned telecom and cable operators. Sharma drew a parallel with the BMC's 'Vruksha Sanjeevani Abhiyan', stating that the continued use of trees as infrastructure supports undermines the city's tree conservation efforts.

The issue of cables on trees is a significant concern in Mumbai, with many trees being damaged or destroyed due to the weight and stress of these cables. Sharma's demand for a comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables is a step towards protecting the city's trees and preserving its green cover.

Mumbai's tree conservation efforts have been ongoing for several years, with initiatives like the 'Vruksha Sanjeevani Abhiyan' aimed at preserving and protecting the city's trees. However, the use of trees as infrastructure supports by telecom and cable operators has been a major challenge in these efforts.

The BMC has been working to address this issue, but more needs to be done to ensure that trees are protected and preserved. Sharma's proposal for a comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

In conclusion, the issue of cables on trees in Mumbai is a critical concern that needs to be addressed urgently. The city's trees are an essential part of its ecosystem, and their preservation is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance. Sharma's demand for action against telecom firms using trees to support cables is a welcome step towards protecting Mumbai's trees and preserving its green cover.

The city's residents and authorities must work together to ensure that trees are protected and preserved for future generations. This can be achieved by implementing strict regulations and taking action against those who violate them. The removal of unauthorised cables and the implementation of a comprehensive audit are essential steps towards achieving this goal.

The Mumbai Tree Authority and the BMC must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that the city's trees are protected and preserved. This includes implementing strict regulations, conducting regular audits, and taking action against those who violate them.

In the long run, the preservation of Mumbai's trees is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance and ensuring a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. The city's residents and authorities must work together to achieve this goal and ensure that Mumbai's trees continue to thrive for generations to come.

The use of trees as infrastructure supports by telecom and cable operators is a significant challenge in Mumbai's tree conservation efforts. However, with the implementation of strict regulations and the removal of unauthorised cables, it is possible to protect and preserve the city's trees.

The proposed comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables are essential steps towards achieving this goal. The Mumbai Tree Authority and the BMC must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that the city's trees are protected and preserved.

The preservation of Mumbai's trees is a critical concern that needs to be addressed urgently. The city's residents and authorities must work together to ensure that trees are protected and preserved for future generations. This can be achieved by implementing strict regulations and taking action against those who violate them.

In conclusion, the issue of cables on trees in Mumbai is a significant concern that needs to be addressed urgently. The city's trees are an essential part of its ecosystem, and their preservation is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance. The proposed comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables are essential steps towards achieving this goal.

The Mumbai Tree Authority and the BMC must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that the city's trees are protected and preserved. This includes implementing strict regulations, conducting regular audits, and taking action against those who violate them.

The preservation of Mumbai's trees is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance and ensuring a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. The city's residents and authorities must work together to achieve this goal and ensure that Mumbai's trees continue to thrive for generations to come.

What it means for Mumbai is that the city's trees are facing a significant threat from the use of trees as infrastructure supports by telecom and cable operators. However, with the implementation of strict regulations and the removal of unauthorised cables, it is possible to protect and preserve the city's trees. The proposed comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables are essential steps towards achieving this goal.

The city's residents and authorities must work together to ensure that trees are protected and preserved for future generations. This can be achieved by implementing strict regulations and taking action against those who violate them. The preservation of Mumbai's trees is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance and ensuring a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.

In the end, the issue of cables on trees in Mumbai is a critical concern that needs to be addressed urgently. The city's trees are an essential part of its ecosystem, and their preservation is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance. The proposed comprehensive audit and removal of unauthorised cables are essential steps towards achieving this goal.

The Mumbai Tree Authority and the BMC must take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that the city's trees are protected and preserved. This includes implementing strict regulations, conducting regular audits, and taking action against those who violate them.

The preservation of Mumbai's trees is crucial for maintaining the city's environmental balance and ensuring a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. The city's residents and authorities must work together to achieve this goal and ensure that Mumbai's trees continue to thrive for generations to come.

Frequently asked questions

What is the issue with cables on trees in Mumbai?

The issue is that cables are being wrapped around tree trunks, suspended from branches, or fixed to trees with nails, screws, clamps, and other devices, which can damage tree bark, restrict natural growth, and weaken branches.

What action has BJP corporator Siddharth Sharma proposed?

Sharma has proposed a comprehensive 'Tree & Cable Audit' to identify cables installed on or attached to trees and establish the operators responsible for them, and to remove unauthorised or hazardous cables.

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