High Court stays felling of trees for flyover in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday stayed the felling of trees for the Tribune Chowk flyover, halting the proposed project.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjeev Berry said the matter had already been heard and likely to be decided at an early date.

As such, it would be appropriate that the Chandigarh Administration and other respondents be restrained from felling any mango tree or any other tree in the vicinity of Tribune Chowk, the Bench observed.

However, the Bench, which on Wednesday reserved its judgment, observed that “the interim direction shall remain subject to the final outcome in the petition”.

Petitioners comprising Jagwant Bath have raised environmental concerns and challenged the axing of trees. They also termed Chandigarh’s move against the city’s heritage character.

The petitioners have argued that Chandigarh Master Plan of 2031, notified under the Capital of Punjab Act, 1952 and the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952, is a statutory document and it does not recommend the construction of flyovers within the city and mandates that alternative traffic management measures be explored.

The petitioners also claim the Department of Urban Planning was initially opposed to the project and was of the view that the Master Plan does not allow it.