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Uttar Pradesh Seeks Extension to Reduce Tree Loss in Road Project
17 Oct
Summary
- Uttar Pradesh seeks 8-week extension from NGT for 111km road project
- Initial plan projected felling of 112,722 trees and shrubs in protected forests
- Realignment of road likely to save many trees from being cut down
As of October 18, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government has sought an 8-week extension from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to proceed with the construction of a 111km road project. The initial plan for the project had projected the felling of 112,722 trees and shrubs in protected forest areas across Ghaziabad, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar divisions.
However, the state government has now proposed a realignment of the road, which is likely to save many trees from being cut down. During the latest hearing in the case, the counsel representing Uttar Pradesh informed the tribunal that the forest clearance for the project is still awaited from the central government. The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing in the case for January 16, 2026.
The realignment of the road has been approved by the state government, and it is expected that the necessary clearances will be received soon. Once the clearances are in place, the work on the project can proceed. The officials have stated that the earlier plan was to construct the road about 9 metres from the edge of the Upper Ganga Canal, but the realigned road is now proposed to be about 2.5 metres from the edge, which is likely to save a significant number of trees.
