downtoearth-subscribe

Green lungs to go

the National Highway authority of India (NHAI) is all set to destroy the green canopy of trees along the Rao Tula Ram Marg near the airport in Delhi. This stretch is lined with neem, eucalyptus, seesam, peepal and badh trees.

The forest department has advised the NHAI to desist from felling the long line of trees along the Delhi-Gurgaon highway. But NHAI is buckling under pressure from various ministries to widen the road for easy flow of traffic on the highway. This Rs 500-crore project for widening the highway has already been given to a private party on a build-operate-transfer basis for 20 years.

NHAI officials contend that there are plans to replace the cut trees with twice the number and land in the cantonment area has been sought for this purpose. The station commander has even given written consent for a 47-hectare land where trees will be planted and looked after by the army. With the heavy rush of motorised vehicles, the road serves as a green lung to the people living in its vicinity.

Related Content