India, Oct. 6 -- The BMC's Tree Authority mooted a proposal on Monday to formulate a policy allowing the civic body to undertake tree-trimming in housing societies and other private premises free of cost. It has proposed that a budgetary provision be made to fund contractors for this by the civic body.

The move aims to address a long-standing issue of housing societies, which have complained that the cost of trimming large trees is prohibitive and that they often receive little or no response from civic officials when they seek assistance. Advocate Siddharth Sharma, BJP corporator and Tree Authority member said the proposal was moved by BJP group leader Ganesh Khankar and was supported by all the members.

At present, the responsibility ...