No trees will be felled for New Cantt road project: PWD

Dehradun: For the second time in two years, the New Cantt road widening project in Dehradun has triggered public agitation, prompting the Public Works Department (PWD) to reiterate that no trees will be felled during construction.After Sunday's "promise reminder" rally by activists, PWD issued a clarification late Monday stating that widening work from Salawala bridge to Vijay Colony bridge (Phase I) is underway without damaging trees. It added that the proposed second phase — from Dilaram Chowk to Salawala bridge — has also been designed to avoid tree loss.Superintending engineer Ompal Singh said a site inspection had been conducted and strict directions issued to ensure no tree is harmed as per the approved action plan. The department maintained that the project design safeguards environmental balance.However, environmental activists remain unconvinced.Ira Chauhan of Citizens for Green Doon said similar assurances were given during the construction of the foot overbridge near the President's Estate last year, but trees were eventually lost. She alleged ambiguity in the current plan, questioning why detailed designs have not been made public."Initially, it was termed a four-lane widening in land acquisition notices. Now, authorities say it is a three-lane project. Ongoing drain work is damaging tree roots, which may later be concretised, weakening the trees and leading to their removal," she said."An RTI shows that roughly 30 trees on private land will come under the axe once those properties are acquired by the govt," she said.Environmentalists stressed that infrastructure projects must involve stakeholders to minimise ecological damage.Ashish Garg from Eco Group Society said better engineering and transparent planning can help balance development needs with environmental protection.The project had faced strong opposition in June 2024 after plans proposed felling around 250 trees. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had assured that no trees would be cut, and the project was paused. Revised plans earlier indicated the potential loss of 17 trees, but authorities now claim zero tree felling. The project is slated for completion by April 2027.