The Gauhati High Court issued notices to the Assam government on Tuesday, questioning its decision to cut down century-old trees to make way for a new flyover in Guwahati. The court’s intervention follows a public outcry over the environmental impact of the proposed infrastructure project.
A public interest litigation (PIL) brought forward by local activists Mahesh Deka, Chandan Kumar Borgohain, and Jayanta Gogoi prompted the court’s action. The division bench, including Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair, has given the state until November 11 to respond, focusing on whether efforts have been made to preserve the historic trees marked for removal.
The controversy centers on the government’s plan to construct a 5.05-km-long, four-lane flyover from Dighalipukhuri tank to Noonmati, projected to be the longest in the city and scheduled for completion in 2026. The project, costing Rs 852.68 crore, has sparked significant backlash due to its environmental cost—specifically, the planned removal of around 25 trees, some of which are up to 200 years old, along the iconic Dighalipukhuri pond.
The backlash has not been limited to legal channels. Prominent local figures, artists, students, and residents have taken to the streets and social media to voice their opposition, emphasizing the trees’ ecological and historical significance. In response to public pressure, the Chief Secretary Ravi Kota held a meeting on October 30 to explore alternative routes that would spare the Dighalipukhuri roads from disruption.
During the court proceedings, Senior Advocate Kamal Nayan Choudhury, representing the petitioners, criticized the lack of expert consultation and environmental considerations in the flyover’s planning. He highlighted the democratic necessity for the government to heed public concern rather than making arbitrary decisions from “a glasshouse in Dispur.”
The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 13, by which time it expects the state government to present a detailed response to the preservation demands. Meanwhile, the local community continues to hold vigil to protect the trees, underscoring a growing environmental consciousness among the residents of Guwahati.
