Senior lawyer and former Dhenkanal Municipality Chairman, Surendra Mishra, in a petition to the State Forest Minister has urged to ensure that the roadside trees are not unnecessarily cut during widening work of NH-55.
If the trees are not within 120 feet width of the proposed four lane road, they may be spared, said Mishra in his petition and cited that even though 200feet width lane has been acquired by the
NH authority, the construction company awarded tender of the work, Gayatri Construction cutting trees indiscriminately.
Mishra alleged that the construction agency is engaged in cutting old trees at mango, neem and Chakunda, those existing beyond 120 feet of the proposed road.
The construction agency is also unnecessarily filling earth and sand on roadside water sources, he said.
Mishra suggested for renovation of water sources, deployment of special staff and trained elephant drivers to prevent crop damage by elephants and man-animal conflict and special award to forest workers who are working sincerely.