Dighalipukhuri row: Assam govt reconsiders tree felling plan, to explore alternative proposal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 30, 2024

In response to mounting pressure from senior citizens, students and public groups, the Assam government has reconsidered its plan to remove heritage trees to construct a flyover in Guwahati. The government will now assess alternative designs to prevent the felling of trees around the historic Dighalipukhuri area.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced on its X handle that Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, convened a meeting with senior PWD (Roads) officials to explore potential adjustments for the GNB flyover. “Instructions have been issued to prepare a draft traffic flow to ensure the flyover ends on GNB road itself or any other alternative route, thereby avoiding the heritage trees around Dighalipukhuri,” the CMO stated.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will submit a report within a week outlining feasible options.

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed concerns about the planned flyover from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati, reassuring the public that the government is committed to balancing infrastructure development with the preservation of the city’s heritage and environment. “We are sincerely working to protect the old trees in the area,”

Sarma said, urging stakeholders to grant the PWD a few days to examine alternative proposals that could avoid the felling of heritage trees.

On Tuesday, a significant protest emerged at Dighalipukhuri as citizens rallied against the state government’s proposal to cut over 20 heritage trees to build a flyover connecting the area to Noonmati. Dighalipukhuri, known for its historic pond and rich greenery, is not only a scenic green lung for the city but also carries deep cultural significance, with roots tracing back to the Ahom era.

The protest saw active participation from students of Cotton University and other institutions, who organized a night vigil from 9 pm Tuesday to 5 am Wednesday, pledging to continue if their demands were unmet. These protesters have also formed the ‘Save the Greenery and Biodiversity of Dighalipukhuri’ organization and submitted a petition to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). They are also prepared to file a public interest litigation (PIL) to protect the area’s biodiversity and cultural value.

Protesters emphasize that the proposed six-kilometre flyover, extending from near the Reserve Bank of India to the Noonmati area, threatens to alter the area’s ecological balance and historical legacy. This growing opposition underscores the public’s call for development approaches that preserve the city’s heritage and green spaces.