NHAI to fell 10,000 trees for widening Sohna Road in Ggm
DECREASING GREEN COVER
GURUGRAM: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is likely to cut nearly 10,000 fully grown trees on Sohna Road for the construction of a flyover and widening the road over the next two-and-a-half years.
The Haryana forest department had sent a proposal to the ministry of environment and forest (MOEF), the government of India, last year, seeking approval in this regard. An official familiar with the development said the department received the approval from the ministry on Monday.
“Efforts should be made to fell minimum number of trees and in any case, not more than 9,650 trees to be removed. ,” read the MOEF letter.
The NHAI took over Sohna Road from public works department (PWD), Haryana, three years ago and termed it NH 248-A – starting from Rajiv Chowk (NH-8 near Mini Secretariat) up to Alwar in Rajasthan. This is a four-lane road at present and the NHAI plans to construct a flyover and widen the 20-kilometre stretch, from Subhash Chowk to Sohna.
The MOEF letter stated that the Haryana forest department will transfer 52 hectares to the NHAI, which will have to pay Rs50 crore for fresh plantation under the compensatory afforestation plan.
D Hembram, conservator of forest, Gurugram, said, “I will have to check the facts of compensatory afforestation plan in 9,650 trees to be cut for the project
1,300 trees to be cut at Atul Kataria Chowk for the construction of a flyover and un underpass
25,000 trees felled in the last five years, according to a forest dept official
₹50 crore to be paid by the NHAI for undertaking plantation at the spot where felling is to take place, as per the compensatory afforestation plan
this regard. If a 52-hectare forest land would be deforested, then afforestation will take place on a minimum of 104 hectares and it has to happen within a year of the permission.”
NHAI plans to construct a flyover from Subhash Chowk up to a point beyond the Badshahpur village – nearly 5.5 kilometres in length. From this point, the Aravalli forest zone starts, with thick green trees on both sides of the 90-kilometre stretch of NH-248A.
“I will not comment about tree felling, but the construction is to start by September-end. The 90-km stretch would be widened in phases. The plan, currently, is only to widen a 20-kilometre stretch in Gurugram district. The work has been awarded,” said Ashok Kumar Sharma, project director, NHAI, Gurugram.