Pimpri: The survival of the trees in Metro Eco Park is under serious threat due to the disconnection of the electricity supply by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

This action was taken because of unpaid electricity bills totaling ₹13,920, which have been overdue since September last year. Without electricity, water pumping from the park's borewell has stopped, making it nearly impossible to irrigate the trees.

The park features a borewell and a water tank, which rely on motorized pumps to supply water to the trees. In the absence of this arrangement, water is usually brought in from external sources via tankers. However, there is no municipal water connection in the park.

Within the past week, a lack of water has already caused some trees to wither, prompting environmentalists to urge immediate restoration of the electricity supply.

The Metro Eco Park was established on a five-acre plot in Ravet, granted as compensation for the trees cut down during metro construction. Around 1,000 trees were planted in the park by the metro authority.

However, the land has since been transferred to the Election Commission via the District Collector's office, and a warehouse is currently under construction at the site.

Responsibility for maintaining the park lies with the Public Works Department, but environmentalists claim it has been grossly neglected.

Last year, administrative neglect led to the death of 140 trees in the park. Following this, environmentalists filed a public interest litigation (PIL), prompting the National Green Tribunal to direct authorities to ensure the park's upkeep. Despite this, no significant action has been taken, and the park remains closed to the public.

Prashant Raul, Environmentalist, says "Maintaining the Metro Eco Park is entirely the responsibility of the District Collector’s office. The negligence shown here is inexcusable. The Green Tribunal has already instructed the administration to care for these trees, but the issue persists."

Vikas Badolia, Environmentalist, says, "The park has been closed to the public for a year now. We are unaware of how the trees are being maintained. The District Collector’s office assured us that no harm would come to the trees, but the current situation tells a different story."

Anil Malshetty, Deputy Engineer, Public Works Department said, "The electricity meter is still in the name of the metro authority, so we did not receive the electricity bill or any notice from MSEDCL. This land now falls under the Election Commission, and the meter will soon be transferred to its name. We will clear the bill and restore the electricity supply within a day or two."

Atul Devkar, Executive Engineer, MSEDCL (Bhosari Division) said, "We had sent multiple reminders to the registered mobile number to clear the pending bill. When no payment was made, we were forced to disconnect the electricity about 4-5 days ago."