Huda seeks approval to cut 256 trees for widening Gurgaon road

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda), Gurgaon, has once again sought permission from the forest department to cut 256 trees for the road widening project of Sector 17/18 dividing road.

The project is held up because of refusal of the forest department to axe these trees.

The Huda will rebuild and expand this 2.2-km road for Rs 5.9 crore in the next three months. The upgradation work of Sector 17/18 dividing road will resolve the problem of traffic congestion on this busy stretch connecting Iffco Chowk and Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road.

However, to get this project restarted, the Huda has requested the forest department for permission and has informed that this project is a part of the chief minister’s development announcements for Gurgaon. The urban authority has also promised that as compensation for cutting 256 trees, the Huda will plant 2,560 sapling and also change the road alignment to save other trees.

The 2.2-km road will be upgraded to a four-lane road with a central verge and street lights. Footpaths and other infrastructure will also be built in the next three months to ensure smooth traffic.

Huda sub-divisional engineer Vijender Malik said that the authority has asked permission to cut the trees as the road cannot be widened without this measure. “We have promised to do the compensatory plantation and a plan has been sought from the horticulture wing of the Huda,” Malik said.

In order to ensure the traffic on the road is not affected due to the construction activity, majority of work will be done at night.