Elevated Outer Ring Road project: PWD to draw up a new sketch

National Green Tribunal today asked Public Works Department to draw a fresh sketch of its elevated project on Vikas Puri-Mukarba Chowk stretch showing how it intends to take care of the trees there after finding discrepancies between its version and the drawing.
The tribunal sent PWD back to its drawing board to draw up an appropriate sketch of the elevated project on a petition challenging the clearance granted to the project to cut over 1,400 trees.
"Show us a proper drawing. File an appropriate drawing with complete affidavits," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said and listed the matter for further hearing on November 13.

A fresh sketch was demanded by the bench due to contradictions in what an official, who appeared for PWD, said and what was shown on the drawings submitted on record by the authority earlier.
The contradictions were regarding the status of the trees in the area, with the authority saying that a new green-belt would come up on the sides of the road after completion of the project, while the drawings did not show any major change in the existing green-belt.
The bench was hearing arguments on a plea filed by Aditya Prasad, who has challenged the clearance granted to the project to cut over 1,400 trees in the entire Vikas Puri-Mukarba Chowk stretch of the Outer Ring Road.

During the day's proceedings, the PWD told the NGT that in one stretch of the project from Vikaspuri to Meera Bagh, of the 1,706 trees it intends to cut 785, transplant 21 and the rest would not be affected.

However, the exact number of trees to be cut as claimed by the PWD was disputed by Prasad who claimed that the number is incorrect.
Prasad claimed that the PWD intends to expand the existing three-lane surface road to a four-lane, apart from the elevated road, and for that the trees on the footpaths will also be cut.
The PWD official said that the authority is cutting only those trees which are absolutely necessary for the project and smooth flow of traffic during construction phase.