Guwahati: Concerned citizens gathered in Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri area on Tuesday to protest against the Assam government’s decision of felling of large number of trees to make way for the construction of a flyover.
The protesters are voicing concerns over the loss of greenery in the area, stating that it will have a detrimental impact on the environment.
The protests at Dighalipukhuri highlight the growing environmental concerns of residents who are opposing the state government’s plan to fell around 30 trees for a proposed flyover.
Dighalipukhuri, known for its historic pond and green cover, holds significant ecological and cultural value for the city. The trees scheduled for removal provide essential shade, particularly during the summer months, and serve as habitats for rare migratory birds, contributing to the urban biodiversity.
They claimed that the project would damage Guwahati city’s natural beauty and disrupt the local ecosystem.
Participating in the protest rally, Congress leader Mira Borthakur said, “If the environment is destroyed, how will we survive? If Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ignores the voices and concerns of the citizens, then what is the point of being a Chief Minister? What is the need for this flyover, especially when there’s an alternative route? The people of Guwahati are demanding that the heritage of the Dighalipukhuri area and its green cover should remain intact and the Chief Minister must pay heed to our plea.”
Construction of a nearly six-mile-long flyover from Reserve Bank to Noonmati is underway. However, a recent change in the flyover’s design, which now includes the Tayabullah Road, has sparked widespread discontent among local residents and concerned citizens of Guwahati as it threatens the heritage and beauty of Dighalipukhuri.
On October 28, authorities marked around 25 trees along Tayabullah Road and in front of Handique Girls’ College with yellow crosses for felling, including some 200-year-old trees.
The protestors will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at Gauhati High Court to halt cutting down of trees.
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Earlier, Cotton University students protested the felling of century-old trees at Dighalipukhuri for a proposed flyover. They urged the government to prioritize environmental preservation over infrastructure development.
