Amidst the widespread protests over felling of trees for construction of MLA quarters in Bhubaneswar, the Orissa High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to submit an affidavit mentioning the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its act.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Jayanti Das, the court asked the Secretary of General Administration (GA) Department to submit the DPR, including construction of multistoried buildings for MLAs, felling of trees and plantation.
The court is scheduled to hear the matter next on June 27.
Official sources said the multistoried buildings for MLAs, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 275 crore, would be ready by the end of 2024. The buildings would have around 300 quarters, a gym, a rest house, a parking lot and other modern amenities.
The Forest Department has given permission to cut down 870 trees on the stretch of road from the Rabindra Mandap to the Commissionerate Police Headquarters for the purpose.