Guwahati: Amidst protests against the Assam government’s decision to cut down around 25 trees near Dighalipukhuri for the construction of a flyover, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured that the state government is committed to safeguarding the city’s heritage and environment while simultaneously advancing infrastructure projects.
Taking to X, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarm said, “I want to assure you that the government is deeply committed to preserving our city’s heritage and environment while advancing infrastructure.”
I want to assure you that the government is deeply committed to preserving our city’s heritage and environment while advancing infrastructure. In constructing the flyovers from Dighalupukhuri to Noonmati, we are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area. I urge all…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 30, 2024
In constructing the flyovers from Dighalupukhuri to Noonmati, we are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area, the chief minister said.
CM Sarma urged all stakeholders to give the Public Works Department (PWD) a few days to explore an alternative proposal and assess its feasibility.
Concerned citizens gathered in Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri area on Tuesday to protest against the felling of a large number of trees to make way for the construction of a flyover from Dighalupukhuri to Noonmati.
The protesters voiced concerns over the loss of greenery in the area, stating that it will have a detrimental impact on the environment.
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.
The protesters claimed that the project would damage Guwahati city’s natural beauty and disrupt the local ecosystem.
ALSO READ: Assam: Guwahati residents protest against tree felling at Dighalipukhuri for flyover construction
The government is constructing a four-lane 5.05 km long flyover, the longest in the city, from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati at a cost of Rs 852.68 crore. It is scheduled to become operational by 2026.
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 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.
