Pune: NGT committee inspects proposed underpass on Khed-Sinnar stretch, hearing to be held today

A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) visited the Khed-Sinnar stretch on Saturday to finalize the wildlife mitigation measures.

24 June 2024

Pune- A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) visited the Khed-Sinnar stretch on Saturday to finalize wildlife mitigation measures. The committee comprises one member each from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF), and the territorial forest officer, Pune. The joint committee was instructed by NGT to visit the stretch to finalize the wildlife mitigation measures.

The deputy conservator of forest of the Junnar Forest Division has stated that the committee visited the area which is a part of Ahmadnagar district on Saturday and a survey has been done. The experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have given their suggestions to the representative of NHAI. No further procedures will be followed by the NHAI and a report on the same will be submitted to NGT.

There is a significant presence of wildlife in the areas along the highway and the forest department has received numerous calls and reports about accidents involving wild animals on the highway. Therefore, it is crucial to construct underpasses in selected areas. The NHAI authority will prepare a report on the construction of underpasses in these selected areas, which will be submitted to the NGT. The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing on this case for July 24th.