Guwahati: After public pressure led to the revision of the design of the under-construction Noonmati-Ambari flyover to preserve the centenarian trees near Dighalipukhuri, a human chain protest has been planned at Bharalumukh on Saturday opposing the marking of over 70 trees for felling for a proposed flyover project.
Bharalumukh is a prominent location in the city where Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookun’s residence is situated. Phookun played a significant role in the freedom movement and was instrumental in establishing the Assam wing of the Indian National Congress in 1921.
Residents of the Bharalumukh area have voiced their apprehension regarding authorities marking over 70 trees, including several centenarian specimens, for felling to accommodate a proposed flyover project across the railway crossing.
Citizens’ Coordination Committee president Khanindra Lal Sharma said the bridge construction would directly affect the area’s residents and stressed the necessity of considering public opinion while planning developmental projects. “We support progress. However, we maintain that it should be executed with transparency and consideration for those most impacted,” he added, announcing that a peaceful human chain protest would be organised on Saturday at Bharalumukh.
The demonstration seeks to highlight the importance of development that acknowledges residents’ input and consent, emphasising that significant local projects warrant community consultation. The committee aspires to establish meaningful dialogue with authorities regarding the bridge’s development, ensuring subsequent project phases proceed with complete transparency and community participation.
Regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed felling of 21 trees along Dighalipukhuri for the Noonmati-Ambari flyover project, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the media on Tuesday. He said specific modifications to the design and length of the Ambari-Noonmati flyover were implemented to conserve the tree cover at Dighalipukhuri. He affirmed that the trees would neither be felled nor transplanted.