NGT nod to felling of 167 trees in way of road project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today gave the go-ahead to fell around 167 ornamental trees in the central verge of the Outer Ring Road stretch from Vikas Puri-Mukarba Chowk which were coming in the way of an elevated road project there.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar permitted the "sacrifice" of the trees after it was conceded by all parties concerned that these trees would have to be felled.
"It is a conceded position before us that nearly 167 trees, which fall under the central verge, would have to be sacrificed.
"Since this is an undisputed question, we permit the project proponent (UTTIPEC) to go ahead with the construction of the said central verge subject to clear directions that no equities will be permitted to be claimed by UTTIPEC and it will be subject to further orders of the tribunal," it said.