F’bad Smart project gets smarter: Uprooted trees to be re-rooted

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, June 16

The majority of trees coming in the way of the widening of roads under the Smart City project here can now breathe easy. These will be transplanted at alternative spots instead of being axed, it is revealed.

The authorities concerned have rolled out a transplantation contract worth Rs 9.39 lakh to ensure continuity of their life.

“This is perhaps the first time that a project related to infrastructure has evolved the concept of transplantation instead of axing the trees coming in the way of widening or re-laying of roads,” said NK Katara, senior consultant, Faridabad Smart City Limited (FSCL).

Claiming that as many as 369 out of the total 586 trees have been identified for transplantation, he said there were 217 trees for which transplantation has been found unfeasible. These could be axed due to problems related to infrastructure constraints.

He said only those trees which had got entangled with sewerage, water and other infrastructure already existing will face the axe as it is not possible to transplant these. Such trees mainly include shrubs and plants, he said.

Around 100 trees have already been shifted to alternative spots like green belts, it is added.

The Smart road project covers 26 km in the city. It is spread over 1,267 acres covering areas of sector 20, 21-A, B, D and 19. Though the contract was given in March, the work started this month.

The contractor is required not only to excavate and transport the trees, but will also have to ensure upkeep and free maintenance of the transplanted trees for three months. The maintenance contract could be extended for 12 months, it is added.