Healthy Trees Axed on Kaifi Azmi Road for H-CITI Underpass Development
Contractors cleared established Peltophorum trees in Banjara Hills to facilitate a new vehicle underpass despite claims of poor tree health. Local observers dispute official reports, stating the removed vegetation appeared vibrant and free of pests.
Key takeaways
- Thirteen 15-20 year old Peltophorum trees were targeted for felling on Kaifi Azmi Road for an H-CITI underpass.
- The Forest department's Tree Protection Committee authorized 1,532 total tree removals across various city junctions.
- Witnesses report that the felled trees appeared healthy, contradicting official claims of termite damage and structural instability.
- A Supreme Court stay currently prevents felling within 35 meters of KBR Park, though work continues elsewhere.
Infrastructure Goals Overturn Decades of Urban Canopy
Urban development took precedence over environmental preservation on Tuesday as workers removed several mature trees along Road No. 3 in Banjara Hills. This stretch, named in honor of the poet Kaifi Azmi since 2012, is a primary site for the Hyderabad City Innovative & Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) initiative. The project seeks to alleviate chronic traffic congestion through the construction of a vehicle underpass.
Disputed Justification for Felling
Official records from the Forest department's Tree Protection Committee categorized 13 Peltophorum species trees, aged between 15 and 20 years, for removal. The committee justified the felling by citing conditions such as termite infestations, root uplift, and structural damage. However, physical evidence at the site appears to contradict these findings.
Varun Phadke, a local advocate who attempted to halt the clearing, noted that the stumps lacked signs of decay or internal damage. Phadke observed that the trees remained vigorous and healthy until their removal, bearing no visible blemishes other than the marks designated for felling. During a two-hour window, crews felled four trees while marking eight others for destruction.
Key Facts
- A total of 13 trees were authorized for removal to build the H-CITI vehicle underpass.
- The affected trees belonged to the Peltophorum species and were roughly 15 to 20 years old.
- The Tree Protection Committee has approved the felling of 1,532 trees across multiple Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills locations.
- Current operations are limited to areas outside the 25-35 meter periphery of KBR Park due to a Supreme Court stay.
- Specific zones targeted for infrastructure works include Film Nagar, Road No. 45, and the Jubilee Hills Checkpost.
What Happens Next
As the H-CITI project advances, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation continues work at various junctions not affected by legal restrictions. While the Supreme Court pause protects trees immediately surrounding KBR Park, the broader plan for 1,532 tree removals remains in motion across the city's residential and commercial hubs.
Source: The Hindu — National
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