Guwahati: Hundreds of concerned citizens took to the streets of Guwahati on Tuesday to voice their strong opposition to the Assam government’s decision to fell numerous trees at the historic Dighalipukhuri for the construction of a flyover connecting Noonmati to the Reserve Bank of India.
The protesters, cutting across party lines, gathered at Dighalipukhuri and staged a massive rally around the historic tank.
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They raised slogans against the government and demanded the preservation of the ancient trees, many of which are over two centuries old.
These trees, they argued, are vital to the city’s ecosystem and heritage, providing a sanctuary for birds and offering much-needed shade and fresh air.
“The government has initiated this project without conducting proper environmental impact assessments or holding public consultations. Felling these trees will not only destroy a heritage site but also devastate the area’s ecosystem,” said Mowsam Hazarika, a concerned citizen.
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The citizens have vowed to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court to challenge the flyover design and prevent the destruction of Dighalipukhuri and its trees.
“How can the Assam government even think of destroying this heritage site? We urge the Gauhati High Court to take suo moto cognizance of this issue,” said advocate Angshuman Bora.
Renowned figures such as political thinker Apurban Baruah, educationist Indrani Dutta, historian Monorama Sarma, politician Ajoy Dutta, writer Ratna Bharali Talukdar, Congress leader Meera Borthakur, and actor Aghradeep Baruah joined the protest, lending their support to the cause.
On October 28, the administration marked around 25 trees along Tayabullah Road and in front of Handique Girls’ College for felling, including several centuries-old trees.
A Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that the Public Works Department (PWD) had not conducted any environmental impact study or public hearing regarding the flyover’s potential impact on Dighalipukhuri and its surroundings.
Earlier, students from Cotton University had also protested the tree felling, urging the government to prioritize ecological concerns over infrastructure development.