The traffic of metropolitan cities is popular for disrupting the everyday life of people. The newly configured stretch on Mathura Road at Sundar Nagar that was part of the Pragati Maidan transit corridor revamp has been witnessing an island of trees in the middle of the busy corridor.
Source- The Wire
Built at a cost of more than ₹920 crore, Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project is aimed at providing hassle free and smooth access to the new exhibition and convention center being developed at Pragati Maidan. It is an integral part of Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Project.
Vehicles slow down and go past on either side of it, well aware that it poses a risk to life and limb in what is otherwise a wide, fast road. “There are these three trees right in the middle of the road. just ahead of the Sundar Nagar underpass. Even though an additional lane was added during the redevelopment of the road, the trees continue to slow down traffic flow and to pose a danger to motorists,” said an ITPO official according to a report of the Times of India.
The Pragati Maidan project which was fully funded by the central government, claimed that it will also help save time and cost of the commuters but has posed a life hazard instead.
A 1997 forest department affidavit says that any stretch a road, drain, etc., is considered a forest if there are over 100 trees on that stretch or on a cumulative 2.5 acres along the stretch.
A forest official told Times Of India, “We are reconsidering the plea to have the three trees on Mathura Road moved to another site. They are not very large trees. We are still looking into the legality and see how permission can be granted.”
