Guwahat: The Assam government on Tuesday filed an affidavit to the Gauhati High Court, stating the government has pledged to save the heritage trees surrounding Dighalipukhuri pond by realigning the proposed RBI-Noonmati flyover project.
“The realignment of the flyover has been decided, and, necessary survey and preparatory works are going on for the new design and the same is not yet finalized,” Assam government said in its affidavit filed by a secretary in the PWD.
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“It is pertinent to reiterate in most categorical terms that not a single tree on the bank of Dighalipukhuri will be affected under the modified design of alignment of the proposed Flyover in question,” the affidavit said.
The initial plan for the flyover included two arms extending from the GNB Road main structure towards Tayabulla Road and West Dighalipukhuri Road.
These arms would have necessitated the felling of several Centuries-old old trees.
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On October 29, 2024, a public protest erupted against the felling of tress at Dighalipukhuri for the construction of the flyover.
Following the public protest, the Assam Chief Minister announced on social media platform ‘X’ on October 30, 2024, that the government is committed to preserving the city’s heritage and environment.
The Chief Minister’s Office further informed on ‘X’ that a meeting was held to discuss alternative proposals to avoid cutting heritage trees in Dighalipukhuri.
The PWD team was instructed to submit a report within a week
The affidavit also stated that Public Works Department (PWD) identified a firm to assess the feasibility of relocating the trees or trimming them. However, subsequent developments halted this process.
Furthermore, the affidavit clarifies that cutting down trees requires following a lengthy procedure as mandated by the (Control of Felling and Removal of Trees from Non-Forest Lands) Regulation Act, 2000.
The affidavit further stated that the new design eliminates the two arms, with one side of the flyover starting from Lamb Road point and other side will start near Rabindra Bhawan on GNB Road.
This ensures that neither the banks of Dighalipukhuri nor the trees will be affected, it stated.
On November 5, the Gauhati High Court while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Northeast Now Executive Editor Mahesh Deka, journalist Chandan Borgohain, and activist Jayanta Gogoi, asked the Assam Chief Secretary to submit an affidavit by November 11, 2024.
The court will hear the matter again on Tuesday (November 13).