(Pics/Diwakar Sharma)

Sarnaik personally visited the Kanakia Road garden, where he engaged with concerned residents and assured them of his support. Following his directive, all barricades erected at the site for the proposed STP expansion were removed.

Residents had been unaware of the municipal corporation’s plans until activists and joggers brought the issue to light. Local activist Advocate Krishna Gupta had been fighting against the tree removal since November but gained significant traction after Mid-day’s reports.

The MBMC had invited objections through a minor newspaper notice, but residents claim due process was not followed. Protesters accused the civic body of prioritising private contractors over environmental preservation.

Nearly 500 people formed a human chain at the garden in a mass demonstration against the project. MBMC officials struggled to justify the removal of the trees, failing to provide clear plans for their replantation.

The swift response from Sarnaik was hailed as a major environmental victory for the local community. Activists urged MBMC to integrate environmental sustainability into all development projects moving forward. Officials have now been tasked with identifying a new site for the STP, with a report due in the coming weeks. Residents expressed gratitude towards Mid-day for amplifying their concerns and enabling them to safeguard their green spaces.

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