PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Responding to concerns of citizens, the Public Works Department (PWD) officials claimed that the ongoing New Cantt Road widening project from Salawala bridge to Vijay Colony bridge is progressing without harming any trees. Recently, concerned citizens organised the “Wada Yaad Dilao” march from Dilaram Chowk to Centrio Mall, demanding protection for water, forests and land, as well as accountability from leaders.
The protesters referenced a similar march that took place on June 23, 2024, where thousands opposed the proposed felling of 250 trees for the New Cantt Road widening project. At that time, the chief minister had assured the public that the plan would be shelved to protect the city’s green cover. However, some media reports recently claimed that a new plan to expand Cantt Road to four lanes may initially involve cutting down 17 trees.
In light of this latest protest, the PWD clarified that no trees will be cut as part of this project. Member of Citizens For Green Doon (CFGD) Himanshu Arora, urged the authorities to prioritise environmental conservation in their development plans.
Superintending engineer of the PWD’s 9th circle Ompal Singh stated that after acknowledging the concerns raised during the protest, departmental officials took cognisance of the issue. He inspected the site for potential tree damage and issued strict instructions that no trees should be harmed during the construction work, in accordance with the approved work plan. The widening of New Cantt Road from Salawala bridge to Vijay Colony bridge is currently in progress without damaging any trees. For the approval of the second phase, plans are being proposed to widen the road from Dilaram Chowk to Salawala bridge, again without harming any trees. He assured the public and institutions that the PWD is fully committed to tree conservation and has designed the project to prevent any damage to trees.
In response, Arora emphasised that the protest march organised by concerned citizens was not only aimed at halting the felling of trees in the area but also focused on preventing future axing of trees in any development project. He said that, previously, concerning the 17 trees slated to be cut down, PWD officials claimed that more trees would also be affected especially after land acquisition. According to information received under the Right To Information Act, 30 more trees were reported to be at risk following the land acquisition. However, Arora expressed gratitude to the PWD officials for their recent assurance that no trees would be harmed. He stressed that authorities should ensure that future development projects are undertaken without the felling of trees and that tree removal should not be part of any project plans.
