Pouring concrete right up to tree trunks during road work is basically choking them slowly,and residents near Vijay Stambh residential complex in MP Nagar were right to raise alarm .
On June 21 ,2026,the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) started removing concrete from around tree trunks after complaints came from Vijay Stambh Residents' Committee and environmental group Watch League . This happened after recent construction of RCC road in area.
And the problem was very simple but serious . Concrete had been placed flush against tree trunks,meaning roots were getting blocked from proper air and water flow . Any tree needs open soil around it,otherwise how will it breathe and survive for long time?
BMC action came under guidance of Deputy Commissioner Hirendra Kushwaha . At least in this case,complaints did not just disappear in some file and actual work started on ground.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- BMC has started removing concrete to protect tree health and allow proper growth.
- Vijay Stambh Residents' Committee and Watch League pushed issue after noticing damage risk .
- Watch League has asked municipal authorities to make guidelines so contractors leave open soil around trees during construction.
And tbh,this is where bigger question starts . Why do contractors need reminder that trees should not be sealed inside concrete? This is basic common sense only,but somehow during road construction,such things keep happening again and again.
Watch League's head Chandana Arora has also pointed out that encasing trees in concrete can badly affect their vitality and increase chances of dying . The group has asked Municipal Commissioner to enforce strict guidelines so same mistake is not repeated in future road projects .
Residents' representative Vinod Jain also encouraged citizens to stay alert and take active part in protecting local environment . And honestly,this part matters because if people living there had stayed silent,those trees may have slowly started dying without anyone being held responsible .
But at same time,this incident shows one uncomfortable thing about urban development in Bhopal . Roads are being made,construction is happening,but basic ecological care still depends on residents noticing damage and pushing authorities to act…
