Ban on tree felling: Punjab to file review petition before NGT

The Punjab government today said it has decided in principle to file a review petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to vacate the stay imposed on felling of trees for major road projects.
The decision has been taken to accelerate the construction of national and state highways, the work for which has come to a standstill due to the NGT ban, said Razia Sultana, PWD Minister, while chairing the quarterly review meeting of her department here today.
The minister said the state government has already got the nod from the Ministry of Environment & Forests for executing the construction work on the major road projects in the state.

She said that Punjab was forced to stop the work on these projects due to the ban imposed by NGT.
During the review of the progress on various religious and other historical monuments, Sultana was apprised by Hussan Lal, Secretary, PWD, that the construction work on these projects has been hampered due to paucity of funds.
The minister urged the PWD Secretary to arrange a meeting with Navjot Singh Sidhu, tourism minister, and bring to his notice the status of these flagship tourism projects.

She said that these projects are being funded by tourism ministry which will release adequate funds to carry out the construction works.

Sultana alleged that the previous SAD-BJP government "wilfully and deceitfully" did not make adequate provisions to fund these projects.
The minister was also told that the construction of some of the state highways was also halted in the absence of forest clearance.
The minister instructed the Secretary, PWD, to urgently take up the matter with Punjab's forest minister.
A K Singla, Chief Engineer, brought to the notice of PWD Minister that the construction work of various prestigious projects like judicial court complexes, meritorious schools, university and colleges, modern jails and community health Centres (CHCs), are in full swing and will be completed within this year.