Delhi tree felling case: HC allows re-development of six colonies to go ahead, pending approvals

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday permitted the National Buildings Construction Company (NBCC) to proceed with the re-development of six colonies in southern part of the city. It however also told NBCC to apply for fresh environmental permits and other clearances before resuming work.

There was a massive uproar in June of this year when plans of cutting 14,000 trees for government residences in six colonies surfaced. 1500 trees had already been axed before protests rocked the re-development plans in Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Mohammadpur and Kasturba Nagar.

The NBCC now has been told to proceed but will have to file for fresh applications for all clearances. News agency ANI reported that the HC has told NBCC to to seek fresh environment clearance for six GPRA (General Pool Residential Accommodation) colonies in south Delhi.

Environmentalists and many local residents continue to maintain that chopping trees in a city which has one of the world's worst air pollution readings is nothing short of criminal. With winter months approaching, air quality in Delhi is once again expected to take a dip towards hazardous.