GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Tuesday, November 5 informed the Gauhati High Court that the markings seen on trees near Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati were intended for assessing potential transplantation, not for cutting.
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A two-judge bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair was hearing a PIL against cutting of trees around Dighalipukhuri for construction of a flyover.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General Devajit Saikia explained that the markings were part of a broader plan to evaluate whether it is feasible to move around the trees say by approximately 10 metres, from their current location.
He noted, “It was not for cutting; rather, the markings were made to assess whether those trees could be transplanted a short distance away.” Saikia further informed the court that the state had consulted a “Haryana party” for the purpose. He, however, did not elaborate.
However, he added the state has three options in hand and will finalise one of these as an alternative.
The court directed the state government to file an affidavit outlining alternative plans for the flyover around Dighalipukhuri by November 11.
The PIL was filed by a group of local residents under the banner Concerned Citizens of Guwahati, who raised concerns over the fate of the century-old trees in the vicinity of the proposed flyover project near the iconic Dighalipukhuri. The PIL opposes plans to cut these trees, citing their significant heritage and ecological value.
The case is set for further hearing on November 13, as the court continues to assess the environmental and heritage concerns associated with the project.
