New Delhi, Jan 16 (.) Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav on Friday accused the DDA of failing to plant even half of the trees it was mandated to, claiming this negligence contributes to the Capital’s air pollution.
Yadav stated that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was responsible for planting 2,18,070 trees as compensation for greenery removed for the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II (UER-2) projects. He alleged that during on-the-spot inspections, fewer than half that number were found to have been planted.
“While felling trees is a sensitive issue in Delhi due to increasing pollution and urbanisation, the government is not working effectively for tree plantation to replenish the depleting green cover,” Yadav said.
He provided a detailed breakdown, claiming that for the Dwarka Expressway, only about 75,000 trees were planted against a target of 1,53,990, despite an advance payment of Rs 87.77 crore from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
For the UER-2 project, he said only 24,887 trees were planted against a commitment of 64,080.
The Congress leader also criticised the Delhi government’s ‘Ek Vriksh Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive, alleging it halted after a pompous inauguration. He linked the issue to a pending Supreme Court case regarding tree felling in the Delhi Ridge area.
“Who will take the responsibility of keeping the health of the people safe?” Yadav asked, connecting the alleged plantation failure to the city’s pollution crisis.
. ATK SQ PRS