‘Trees Are Not Utility Poles’: BJP Corporator Siddharth Sharma Targets Telecom Firms Over Cables On Trees

Mumbai, September 1, 2026 - BJP corporator Adv. Siddharth Sharma has criticized telecom and cable operators for using trees to support Internet, Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), broadband, and cable TV networks in the city. Speaking at a meeting of the Mumbai Tree Authority Committee, Sharma urged an immediate effort to make Mumbai’s trees cable-free.

He argued that trees should not be considered the private infrastructure of telecommunications and cable companies. Sharma submitted a formal representation to the Municipal Commissioner and Chairman of the Mumbai Tree Authority, requesting concrete measures to safeguard trees. He highlighted that cables are being tightly wrapped around tree trunks, hung from branches, or attached to trees using nails, screws, clamps, and other devices, causing damage to tree bark, hindering natural growth, leading to girdling, weakening branches, and creating difficulties during pruning and routine maintenance.

Sharma proposed a comprehensive "Tree & Cable Audit" to identify cables installed on or attached to trees and determine the operators responsible for them. The audit would also ensure operators have the necessary BMC permissions, such as Right of Way (RoW) permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and identify cables that are damaging or potentially harmful to trees.

Sharma demanded the removal or safe relocation of unauthorized or hazardous cables and strict action against operators who repeatedly violate regulations. He sought a 30-day deadline for the concerned departments to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) detailing the number of trees surveyed, the number of trees found with cables, the number of cables removed or relocated, and actions taken against the telecom and cable operators.