Panvel removes pavers around trees on Kharghar road

Paver blocks are being lifted from around trees on Kharghar’s Hiranandani–Utsav Chowk stretch, where Panvel Municipal Corporation has begun refilling the exposed spaces with soil.

Garden official Rajesh Kardile said the change would allow rainwater to seep into the ground. The civic body has also developed footpaths on both sides of the road and added seating, he said.

Several Kharghar roads and public spaces developed by CIDCO have pavers laid close to tree trunks. Environmentalists have argued that such paving restricts air and water movement in the soil, affecting root growth. They say weakened trees can be more vulnerable to being uprooted in strong winds.

According to officials, the work is intended to improve moisture and air circulation around roots while allowing more rainwater to percolate into the soil. Officials said similar work is under way on other stretches.

Residents and environmentalists have called for open soil to be restored around trees in other paved parts of Kharghar.