Green drive
“The target was met before the end of this monsoon,” the source said. “While the garden department claims the primary objective of the drive was to enhance Ahmedabad’s green cover rather than just hitting numbers, it fails to coordinate with other departments. Another source said, “In 2022, AMC officials issued notices to implement a road line expansion to widen the existing 80-foot road to 100 feet between Naranpura Railway Crossing and Naranpura Village in the Naranpura area. However, the source said, residents of the area strongly protested the execution, forcing AMC to back down. The proposal was later approved, though implementation stalled. “Since the widening proposal remains active, the road will be expanded in the future. Yet, trees have been planted on both sides,” the source said. “The Mission Million Tree initiative began in 2019, with targets increasing annually — 3 million in 2024, 4 million in 2025, and 5 million in 2026, according to the source. Because of these high targets, the source added, available vacant land/plots for planting have become scarce. BOX Vulnerable sites Roads flanked by new trees, but earmarked for widening Road – Current width – Proposed width
- Gujarat College Crossroads to Chhadawad Police Chowki – 18.3 metres – 30.5 metres
- CN Vidyalaya Excise Chowki to Panjrapole Crossroads – 30.5 metres – 36 metres
- Vastrapur Lake to NFD Circle to Gurdwara Crossroads – 30.5 metres – 36 metres
- Naranpura Railway Crossing to Naranpura Crossroads to AEC Crossroads- 24.4 metres – 30.5 metres
- AEC 132-Feet Ring Road to Bhuyangdev Crossroads – 24.4 metres – 36 metres
- Bhuyangdev Crossroads to Sattadhar Crossroads to Sola Overbridge – 30.5 metres – 36 metres
- Commerce College Six Roads to CEPT University Crossroads to SBI – 21.4 metres – 30.5 metres
- Ilaj Crossroads to Jawahar Chowk Crossroads to Shah-e-Alam Darwaza – 24.4 metres – 30.5 metres
- Anupam Bridge to Anupam Cinema to Khokhra Circle to Hatkeshwar Circle – 15.3 metres – 30.5 metres
- Hatkeshwar Circle to Narol-Naroda Highway – 18.3 metres – 30.5 metres You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in Ahmedabad Stay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news. Download the TOI App.
Ahmedabad: In its eagerness to implement ‘Mission Five Million Trees’ this monsoon, AMC’s garden department seems to have prioritised speed over planning and planted trees on both sides of 10 roads that AMC has already slated for widening. Under ‘Mission Five Million Trees’, 44 lakh trees were planted across the city in a 70-day period from World Environment Day on June 5 to Aug 13, achieving 88% of the 5-million target, according to the source. So, when the roads are widened in two to three years, these trees will inevitably have to be chopped down. A case in point is the planting of trees on both sides of the stretch from Naranpura Crossing to Naranpura Crossroads and up to Naranpura Village. This road has been marked for widening. Road-widening proposals (Re-DP) have been approved for various stretches, including AEC Crossroads to Bhuyangdev in Naranpura, Anandnagar Road, Ashram Road, and Drive-In Road. Trees were planted on both sides of all these stretches and face the prospect of being felled. An AMC source stated, “There is a lack of coordination between the AMC’s estate department and the garden department.