The once lush greenery adorning the dividers of Navi Mumbai's bustling roads now faces a dire threat as water supply to these plants has been abruptly cut. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's (NMMC) initiative to beautify the city with shrubs and other trees planted along road bifurcations now teeters on the brink of failure, with flora wilting and trees inching closer to death.

In a bid to set a green precedent, the municipal corporation had embarked on an ambitious project, incorporating various tree species including ornamental and native exotic varieties through initiatives like Majhi Vasundhara and Miyawaki. However, in recent weeks the water flow to these green sanctuaries has been disrupted, leaving plants parched and withering away.

Areas particularly affected include stretches along Thane-Belapur Marg, Palm Beach Marg, and Arenja Corner to Kopri Bridge, among others, including those in the APMC vicinity. The consequence? Ornamental trees stand charred, and larger specimens face an imminent demise, all due to the negligence in maintaining essential water supply.

Expressing dismay at this oversight, environmentalists have raised their voices against the municipality's mismanagement, highlighting the detrimental impact on the city's green cover and overall ecological balance.

When approached for clarification, Dilip Nerkar, Deputy Commissioner of the Parks Department, attributed the water cut to ongoing work by the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) Department. However, attempts to reach Sudhakar More, Executive Engineer of the Municipal Sewerage Department, yielded no response.