The authorities have decided to go ahead with the felling of 432 trees from Handpost to Kottigehara as part of the widening of NH 234. The forest department has not received any objections from the public for the felling of the trees.
The forest department had convened a public hearing on the felling of the trees.
National Highway assistant engineer Muniraju said, “The road will be widened by 16 metres. Shoulder and drains will also be laid. The work should have been taken up in 2018. However, due to closure of Shiradi Ghat, it could not be taken up, to facilitate the movement of vehicles. As many as 432 trees will be felled and the work will commence after the monsoon.”
DCF Jagannath said, “Ten times the felled trees will be planted.”