Over12,000 trees axed for Ambala-Saha NH 4-laning

Ambala, january 22

Over 12,000 full-grown trees have been axed to pave way for the ongoing work to four-lane the busy Ambala-Saha National Highway 444-A.

Work to four-lane the 14.84 km-long Ambala to Saha section of NH 444-A and construction of paved shoulder is being undertaken under the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) Bharatmala Pariyojna at a cost of Rs 220 crore.

The loss of green cover in Ambala will, however, be a gain for the Pinjore division where the Forests Department will plant almost 45,000 saplings in lieu of cutting of 12,059-odd trees in this district as no adequate space is reportedly available in Ambala district, the officials said here today.

Forest Department deputy superintendent Mahinder Kumar said work to cut the trees coming in the way of the four-laning project was in progress and to compensate the loss, 45,000 new saplings will be planted in Pinjore division during the monsoon. — TNS