Around 6,400 trees are likely to be felled and lands measuring about 2,560 ha are to be acquired for the proposed eight-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor to be laid between Chennai and Salem at a cost of ₹10,000 crore, according to a presentation made by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) before the Union Environment Ministry. However, environmental activists claimed that the number of trees that would face the axe could run into a few lakh.
The proposed alignment of the 277-km-long ambitious project is to pass through Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Salem districts.
In its presentation in the meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Delhi earlier this month, the NHAI stated: “About 6,400 trees are likely to be affected due to the proposed right of way (RoW) of 90m. Efforts will be made to minimise the tree loss by restricting tree-cutting with formation width.”
The tentative length of affected forest area along the proposed alignment is about 13.290 km with about 120 ha of affected forest area considering the RoW of 90 m.
The lane would have 23 major bridges, 156 minor bridges, 578 culverts and three tunnels among others are proposed along the project stretch for free passage to locals and avoid any impact on local hydrology. The project plan includes eight toll plazas and 10 Bus & Truck Lay Bays.
About 14,54,200 cubic metre sand, 11,09,800 metric tonne cement, 1,63,000 metric tonne bitumen, 1,28,500 metric tonne steel, are among the requirements for the project. “Total requirement of water for construction is estimated to 11,20,000 kilo litre during the construction phase of the project which will be arranged from tanker supply.”
Avenue plantation was to be carried out as per Indian Road Congress guidelines apart from statutory requirements of Compensatory Afforestation, the NHAI informed the meeting, adding: “The tree enumeration of total trees and affected trees will be prepared during detailed EIA Study and the preparation of Forest Clearance proposals. The inventory will include Tree species, girth and height.”
After a detailed discussion, the EAC recommended grant of the Terms of Reference (ToR) with specific conditions. in addition to standard ToR for the project. The Committee recommended a reanalysis of options (of possible routes) from an environmental point of view and keeping in mind issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement.
Since Kalrayan hill forest between Chengram to Salem was “important and was required to be conserved”, the Committee recommended to look into the possibility of re-alignment from Chengram to Salem to avoid Kalrayan hill forest.
Thorough assessment on wetlands along the alignment, obtaining no objection certificate from the Chief Wildlife Warden, comprehensive assessment of impact of road on local biodiversity, wildlife corridors were the other recommendations of the Committee.
However, Salem-based green activist Piyush Manush said: “This project, if implemented, would be an environmental disaster. About three to four lakh trees would be felled. It would severely affect the agriculture in these districts.” The huge amount of bitumen to be laid on the land would affect the environment severely and would affect the environment in the area, he contended.
The project was to go through eight hill forests and would affect several tributaries of the Cauvery in the area, he claimed.
