Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam government to submit an affidavit on its decision to cut down several centuries-old trees along the banks of the historic Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati to facilitate the construction of a proposed flyover.
During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Tuesday, a division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair, directed the Assam Chief Secretary to submit an affidavit by November 11, 2024.
The PIL was filed by journalists Mahesh Deka, Chandan Borgohain, and activist Jayanta Gogoi.
The petitioners, represented by senior advocate Vikram Rajkhowa, sought a stay on the government’s decision to fell the trees at Dighalipukhuri.
The court will hear the matter again on November 13, 2024.
The petitioners urged the Gauhati High Court to appoint an expert panel to redesign the flyover to avoid damaging the historic Dighalipukhuri and its trees.
The PIL contended that the tree felling would not only be an environmental catastrophe but would also obliterate a significant part of the city’s heritage.
The petitioners also argued that the destruction of these trees would severely impact the historic Dighalipukhuri tank.
ALSO READ: Assam: Gauhati HC to hear PIL against tree felling for flyover at Dighalipukhuri on Tuesday
Notably, Guwahati’s students, artists, and concerned citizens have been protesting against the state government’s plan to cut down over 27 trees at Dighalipukhuri for the Noonmati-RBI Point flyover project.
