Trees axed to facilitate flyover work at Idgah Maidan near Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi recently.
DH Photo
As many as 99 well grown trees will be axed to make way for 3.9 km flyover in Hubballi, further diminishing the City's green cover. However, the project executing agency, Public Works Department (National Highways Division), is yet to identify locations to plant saplings to compensate for the loss of greenery.
The flyover, from the starting point near Bannigida stop on Gokul Road, passes through Hosur Circle, Basava Vana, Lakshmi Way Bridge, and Kittur Chennamma Circle, Court Circle on Vijayapura Road, Desai Cross Circle, and Lammington Road. The total length of the overpass is 3.9 km. A total of 9,222 square metres of land along the route will also be acquired for the construction of the new facility.
The Jandu Construction, has worked in collaboration with the Forest Department to conduct a survey of the trees that need to be removed. Identification marks have been placed on the affected trees, and work is underway to remove them.
So far, more than 10 trees near Basava Vana and Idgah Maidan have already been cut down. The areas along Lammington Road house over 70 trees, which are also expected to be cut down by September. Environmentalists have raised concerns, alleging that the PWD (NH Division) has violated forest laws by failing to determine alternative locations for planting new trees before the felling began.
Greens' concerns
Environmentalist Shankar Kumbi said as per regulations, it is mandatory to obtain approval from the Forest Department before cutting any tree. When such approval is granted, the authorities require that 10 saplings be planted for every tree cut. The cost of this exercise is also borne by the concerned parties. However, for the flyover project, the Forest Department has only given approval for tree cutting, without any decision yet on where to plant replacements.
He further stated that hundreds of trees have already been destroyed due to previous projects like the HD-BRTS, road widening, and other works in the twin cities. For the flyover work, in the tender document, it was mentioned as tree cutting, but they ended up uprooting the entire tree. It is essential that trees are only cut when absolutely necessary for the project.
Permission obtained
PWD (NH Division) Superintendent Engineer Pradeep T clarified that they have obtained permission from the Forest Department to cut the trees for this project. As for as the requirement of planting 10 saplings for each tree cut, some people have obtained a stay order from the green tribunal. Until the matter is resolved in court, they cannot proceed with planting new saplings. They will abide by whatever decision the court hands down.
He further added, “We have provided a letter of consent for the project. As per the court’s order, sapling planting will be done accordingly.”
Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu GRJ confirmed that 1% of the total project cost has been allocated for afforestation, and the saplings will be planted in compliance with the court’s ruling.