Panvel Civic Body Plants 125,000 Trees to Revive Sion-Panvel Highway

In a major environmental initiative, the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a project to plant 125,000 trees along the Sion-Panvel Highway. The highway, which was widened and concretized 12 years ago, had witnessed the felling of hundreds of trees, leaving a stark, concrete landscape.

However, the PMC is now committed to restoring the lost green cover and creating a sustainable buffer against rising pollution. The plantation drive will utilize 7,132 square meters of land along the highway, with landscaped zones ranging from 600 to 2,700 square meters. Native species such as neem, banyan, gulmohar, and rain trees will be prioritized for their canopy cover and resilience.

Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale has called the project a "long-term environmental investment" for Panvel, which has seen rapid infrastructure growth outpacing ecological considerations. The initiative aims to transform the highway into a green corridor, ensuring that the first impression for those entering Navi Mumbai is one of lush greenery, not dust and concrete.

To ensure the success of the plantation drive, a drip irrigation system and dedicated maintenance teams will be deployed. Additionally, a geo-tag monitoring system will track the growth of the saplings. Resident groups, schools, environmentalists, and NGOs will be involved in awareness campaigns and monitoring, making this a community-owned project.