251 trees to be axed for building 3 Mohali chowks
Several trees cut in Sec 79, residents criticise GMADA move
With air pollution worsening daily and AQI levels hitting alarmingly high marks, sparking a national emergency, focus has sharpened on planting trees and preserving green cover. Yet Mohali marches to its own tune. Here, trees fall unabated, ignoring the gravity of the situation.
Residents and environmentalists decry the persistent high AQI and winter smog, but electric cutters and axes labour relentlessly to fell mature trees. Surprisingly, no public outcry has erupted.
As many as 251 trees face the axe for building three roundabouts near the airport within the next month. The work has already begun with several green trees in Sector 79 tumbled today under a private contractor hired by PUDA.
Trees such as Jakranda (blue purple flowers), Gulmohar (red flowers), Chakrasia (tree of heaven), and neem were axed, claimed environmentalists.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Mohali, has approved an extensive list of marked trees, soon to be razed by a Sunam-based firm. GMADA auctioned these 251 trees for Rs 4.91 lakh plus 18% GST, totalling Rs 5,79,380, with felling slated for completion in one month.
Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh launched construction on three roundabouts—at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sector 78/79, and near CP-67 Mall—at an estimated Rs 17.71 crore.
Environmentalists highlight the hypocrisy: the government promotes ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’, yet razes green trees shamelessly. “No word on relocation or compensatory planting,” fumed environmentalist KNS Sondhi.
In Phase-10’s Silvy Park, morning and evening walkers lament the destruction of trees and hedges for a makeshift structure. Senior citizens, who nurtured this green patch with years of effort, watch it vanish overnight.
Ironically, GMADA Estate Office’s terms and conditions specify the firm to cut the trees within one month or action will be taken according to the rules, additionally, the trees have to be removed from roots.
