The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday sought the Delhi Government's response to a plea against proposed felling of trees by the PWD as part of "landscaping" associated with construction of an elevated corridor from Vikaspuri to Madhuban Chowk.
A Vacation Bench headed by Justice VR Kirgaonkar also issued notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Forest Department, seeking responses by the next date of hearing - July 12.
The Bench further directed the Forest Department to nominate an appropriate authority to conduct proper survey for environment impact assessment (EIA) of the damage the felling may cause.
The tribunal's order came on a plea by residents of the area. They have challenged the PWD, saying there is no need to fell the 3,000-odd trees. "The trees are standing along service lanes on both sides of Outer Ring Road and not on the central verge, where the pillars are to be erected. Thus, the trees are not an obstruction to the elevated road/flyover. They are more than 220 feet away and do not fall in alignment of the project," noted the petition.
The petitioners, including environmentalist Aditya Prasad, have sought directions stopping the Forest Department and PWD from "causing damage to the trees and their illegal felling and removal from Outer Ring Road number 26."
PWD's project entails comprehensive development - including landscaping, cycle tracks and parking spaces - of areas adjoining the project site.