Fresh Anger Over Felling Of Trees, This Time For Hospital Expansion In Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar: A fresh row has erupted over the felling of trees in Odisha’s capital. Hundreds of trees are being cut to make way for the expansion of the Capital Hospital, angering environmentalists and nature lovers.

The fresh controversy comes even as the state government is facing opposition over the felling of over 800 trees, which are more than 60 to 70 years old, to make way for the construction of multi-storey apartments for the legislators of Odisha in MLA Colony in Bhubaneswar.

According to reports, mostly neem and jackfruit trees are being cut for the Capital Hospital’s expansion following permission from the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), which is also supervising the cutting of trees to pave the way for apartments for MLAs.

The Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) is executing the Rs 275-crore project. While the number of multi-storeyed apartments is yet to be finalised, this project is believed to be of 10-11 floors having 300 quarters (flats). Besides 25 Type-V and 105 Type-VI quarters, there will be market complexes, a police station, a health centre, gymnasium and a banquet hall to accommodate 2,000 to 3,000 people at a time.

Recently, green lovers led by the Mahanadi Banchao Andolan protested against the felling of trees for the project. Holding placards, they raised slogans against the state government’s move to sacrifice green cover for concrete structures.

The Orissa High Court has also issued notice to the state government seeking its reply on the apartments for MLAs. The notice came on a PIL filed by social activist Jayanti Das, seeking a halt to the cutting of trees. The HC has scheduled the next hearing of the case on June 27.