Green corridor project back on track, UT won’t axe trees now

The UT Administration has decided not to axe trees for the construction of green corridors in the city. It has restarted the work on the non-motorised transport (NMT) green corridor project.

The work on the project was suspended nearly 14 months ago on the intervention of the then Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit.

The first 8-km-long green corridor, which aims to connect the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 with Sector 56, is being developed along the N-Choe, stretching from the northern to the southern parts of the city. The project, which is part of the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031, is designed to promote environment-friendly modes of transport and is projected to cost around Rs 5 crore.

Purohit had suspended project 14 months ago

The 8-km-long green corridor, which aims to connect the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 with Sector 56, is being developed along the N-Choe.

The project initially began in June last year but was halted in September by the then UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit.

The suspension came after advocate Rohit Gupta lodged a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office, alleging green trees would be axed for the project.

The project initially began in June last year but was halted in September by Purohit. The suspension came after advocate Rohit Gupta lodged a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), alleging green trees would be axed for the construction of the corridor.

LR Budhania, an environmentalist, claimed that over 200 trees had been felled in violation of environmental norms, prompting the PMO to order a review of the project.

On revival of the project, a senior official said they had received the go-ahead last week and resumed the work on the project. “We have given an undertaking that no tree will be felled for the project. It will be completed within six months,” he added.

The green corridor is described as a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the quality of life for Chandigarh residents. With dedicated pathways for bicycles and pedestrians, the corridor aims to make urban spaces safer and more accessible.

This route is the first of 11 such corridors planned for the city.

Former UT Adviser Dharam Pal had inaugurated the project in early June last year.

“The Administration has suddenly restarted the work on the project, thereby disturbing the ecology of Bougainvillea Garden and Leisure Valley in Sector 10,” said Budhania.

“The construction of the project needs to be halted immediately and the matter be investigated as to how an axed project could be restarted,” demanded Rohit Gupta.

These 11 green corridors involved creation of ‘cycle tracks’ by damaging the green belt/ forest cover of Chandigarh.

“Cycle tracks already exist across the city. These are being used extensively by residents, as a safe and convenient way to travel across the city. If needed, these tracks can be upgraded by planting more trees alongside so as to make them ‘green corridors’ in true sense. There is no need to concretise Chandigarh by laying 11 new tracks in the name of green corridors,” said Gupta.