Citizens want to rethink Panjrapole flyover

Several Amdavadis on Sunday staged a silent protest against the felling of two mature trees by the AMC to make way for the proposed bridge on the Panjrapole-IIM-A road. Earlier, citizens had written to AMC officials asking them to prioritize the environment and community engagement in their decision to develop the flyover. The citizens said they were not against the development but against the unsustainable development of the proposed stretch.

According to area residents, the AMC has marked around 100 mature trees over 50 years old to be cut for the proposed flyover. Referring to the Ahmedabad Mirror report, dated June 11, 2024, the concerned citizens also demanded a meeting with the municipal commissioner to discuss the issue. In the meantime, they asked him to suspend the project.

Geetika Saluja, a concerned citizen, said development at the expense of trees is not advisable as it affects the environment and with global warming, the situation will only get worse. “AMC must meet with citizens and take a holistic approach to this issue. »

She said the feasibility study undertaken in 2011-12 by CSIR-CRRI is now obsolete. “AMC should conduct an updated feasibility study to accurately assess the current situation and include various city stakeholders to discuss and consider alternative solutions.”

Citizens gathered on Sunday asked the AMC to focus on promoting a common living environment, rather than considering other species as obstacles to development.

Madhish Parikh, a social worker and resident of Ahmedabad, said that to deal with traffic jams on this stretch, the AMC should consider other alternatives such as underground bridges to ensure that trees are not cut down. “Constructing a flyover in Panjrapole is not in public interest,” Parikh said.
​​​​​​​
Citizens said the AMC often carries out tree felling activities at night to avoid opposition and such actions will only increase distrust.