Felling of 200-year Old Trees for Guwahati Flyover: Assam CM Intervenes After Public Outcry, PWD to Submit Alternate Plan

Assam government today said that the Public Works Department (PWD) will submit a plan in a week that would suggest alternate roads .

Amid protests by residents of Guwahati to save trees, some as old as 200 years, around Dighilipukhuri, an iconic waterbody in the heart of the city, the Assam government today said that the Public Works Department (PWD) will submit a plan in a week that would suggest alternate roads to ensure that the upcoming GNB flyover do not land on the West and East Dighaliphuri road and ensure that no trees in the area are cut.

The public outcry, saw actor Adil Hussain and singers Papon and Joi Barua voice their concerns to save the trees and the image and heritage of Dighalipukhuri.

Soon Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intervened and following his instructions, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota held a meeting with senior officials of PWD in charge of roads to work out options to ensure that the under construction GNB flyover ends at a spot that would prevent any felling of trees in and around the waterbody and the decision to come up with an alternate plan was taken at this meeting.

“As per instructions of HCM Dr @himantabiswa, @CSAssam_Dr. Ravi Kota chaired a meeting with senior officials of PWD (Roads) to discuss possible alternatives for the upcoming GNB flyover in order to avoid West & East Dighalipukhuri Road. Instructions have been issued to prepare a draft traffic flow to ensure the flyover ends on GNB road itself or any other alternative road to avoid cutting of heritage trees in Dighalipukhuri area. The PWD team will submit their report within a week with proposed modalities,” a tweet by the Chief Minister Minister’s Office said.

As per instructions of HCM Dr @himantabiswa, @CSAssam_ Dr. Ravi Kota chaired a meeting with senior officials of PWD (Roads) to discuss possible alternatives for the upcoming GNB flyover in order to avoid West & East Dighalipukhuri Road.

Instructions have been issued to prepare a… pic.twitter.com/gOGmyLyddO

— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) October 30, 2024

The situation escalated when authorities marked trees for cutting, which are believed to be over 200 years old and cherished by local residents as part of the city’s heritage. Notable figures including artistes and, internationally acclaimed actor Adil Hussain and popular playback singer Papon voiced their support for the protestors seeking to protect these ancient trees.

Papon expressed his concerns on X, stating, “If we demolish everything that is old and solely focus on building ‘new,’ then we will become a historically very young place! We won’t have any heritage to showcase, be it old houses or old trees!” He emphasized that losing trees, which have stood for over a century, for urban development has been a long-standing source of distress for him. “Why can’t we construct the ‘new’ whilst preserving the ‘old’? We can design around our history, even if it entails additional costs,” he urged.

If we break down everything that is old and only focus on building ‘new’, then we will become a historically very young place! We won’t have any history to show, be it old houses or old trees!
We travel across the world and appreciate beautiful cities with their greenery and… pic.twitter.com/FHmZ8OCruH

— papon angaraag (@paponmusic) October 30, 2024

Adil Hussain, who has made a name in both Bollywood and Hollywood, criticized the authorities for their approach to urban planning, labeling it a “bankruptcy in imagination.” He questioned why tree removal was the first choice in the name of development.

Singer Joi Barua echoed similar sentiments, stating, “These trees are our heritage. Our histories, our families, our stories. It’s our responsibility to ensure no harm befalls them. Alternative plans must be pursued.”

According to The Times of India report, In the past three years, the authorities have cut down approximately 3,000 trees in Guwahati for various construction projects, transforming the capital into a heat trap. Reports indicate that around 2,500 trees were removed in 2022 alone to widen the National Highway 37 within the city limits. The felling of trees for the construction of roads, flyovers, and other infrastructure projects has sparked concern among citizens.

Recently, authorities identified 21 ancient trees along the banks of Dighalipukhuri for the construction of a roughly 6-km-long flyover connecting Dighalipukhuri with Noonmati. This decision has provoked significant backlash from city residents and nature enthusiasts, leading to intensified protests against the government’s plans.

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