IMC wants Rs 1000 for every axed tree

CIVIC BOSSES have okayed the Indore Development Authority (IDA) proposal to axe 3,152 trees on AB Road provided it shells out Rs 31.52 lakh towards compensatory afforestation or Rs 1,000 for every felled tree.

CIVIC BOSSES have okayed the Indore Development Authority (IDA) proposal to axe 3,152 trees on AB Road provided it shells out Rs 31.52 lakh towards compensatory afforestation or Rs 1,000 for every felled tree.

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The IDA had sought permission from the IMC to fell the trees to convert a portion of AB Road into a six-lane stretch for the Rs 868 crore Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project.

A letter sanctioning the tree felling and the compensation conditions has been forwarded by the IMC administration to the Superintending Engineer, IDA. The Corporation has also sanctioned a plea by the Public Works Department (PWD) to fell trees obstructing road-widening projects between Niranjanpur-Panchwati, Rajiv Gandhi Pratima-Rajendra Nagar and Ring Road-Bypass. The agency has directed to pay Rs 1.52 lakh, Rs 2.91 lakh and Rs 18,000 respectively as compensation for the lost green cover.

It may be recalled that the IDA applied for permission for felling trees after a site survey to clear the decks for widening AB Road for the BRTS project being funded by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

As per the IDA survey 1,314 trees from Niranjanpur to Palasia and 1,836 trees located on the stretch between Palasia to Rajiv Gandhi Square would have to be felled for the six-lane proposal.

Apart from the loss of green cover the road-widening would also result in the razing of 185 structures occupying over 72,000 sq metres of land on either side of AB Road.