Two underpasses are to be constructed on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. For this construction, the Noida Authority has received approval from the Forest Department to cut 330 trees. However, the department has granted conditional permission, requiring the Authority to plant ten times the number of saplings in place of the trees that will be felled.
The Authority will transplant 265 of the 330 trees and fell 65. Classifying the trees to be transplanted in the 'damaged' category, the Forest Department has instructed that saplings be planted. The 265 trees will be transplanted to a green belt and will be kept under special care. The department explained that the lifespan of trees is often reduced during the transplantation process. Some trees survive while others perish, which is why they are placed in the damaged category.
The ages of the trees to be felled are 0-1 years and 4-6 years, with most being more than six years old. After these trees are removed, the area will be cleared to begin construction of the underpasses.
Project Overview And Connectivity Benefits
One is being built at Jhatta village (near Sector 146 and 145), which will connect Sectors 145, 146, 155, and 159. The second underpass is being constructed between Sector 146/147 to link the Greater Noida Link Road with the expressway. This will provide relief from traffic congestion for several sectors and villages and also improve connectivity. Both are being built using diaphragm wall technology.
Specification: First Underpass (Sector 146 and 145)
It will be built at the 16.900 km chainage mark on the expressway, between Sectors 145, 146, 155, and 159. It will be 800 metres long, and its construction will cost approximately Rs 99.74 crore. This will benefit the newly developed industrial Sectors 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 162, and 9 villages.
Specification: Second Underpass (Sultanpur)
This will be built near Sultanpur at the 6.10 km chainage mark on the expressway, between Sectors 128, 129, 132, and 108. It will be 731 metres long, and a total of Rs 81.61 crore will be spent on its construction. This underpass will benefit Sectors 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 110, 80, 81, 82, 83, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, Phase-2, NSEZ, and 11 villages.
Official Statements On Execution
Gautam Budh Nagar, District Forest Officer, Rajnikant Mittal said, "The Noida Authority has received approval to cut 330 trees to build two underpasses on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. The trees being transplanted have been placed in the 'damaged' category, and the authority has been instructed to plant ten times the number of saplings."
Director (Horticulture), Noida Authority Anand Mohan Singh, "The trees scheduled for removal are being relocated to the green belt in Sector 146. 80 trees have already been shifted, while pits have been dug for another 100. This work will be completed soon."