The widening of a national highway stretch in Shahjahanpur has been approved at the cost of 5,746 trees, sparking renewed debate over development versus ecological balance in Uttar Pradesh. The project, part of the Lipulekh-Bhind corridor, will expand the existing road into a four-lane highway, covering 28.3 kilometres between Jalalabad and Shahjahanpur.
According to officials, the road, currently seven metres wide, will be broadened to about 25 metres, including dual carriageways, a central divider, and paved shoulders. The estimated project cost is nearly ₹294 crore, with provisions made for clearing trees and encroachments along the route. The Public Works Department began removing roadside shops and structures earlier this week, a move that initially drew protests from residents but later saw voluntary compliance following government intervention.The approval for felling thousands of trees came from state-level authorities, who justified the decision on the grounds of national infrastructure requirements. Forest officials explained that while old-growth trees would be lost, the compensatory measure requires planting ten times the number of felled trees in designated areas. Funds earmarked for afforestation have been deposited with the state’s forest corporation to oversee the plantation drive.
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Environmental experts, however, caution that compensatory plantation often fails to replace the ecological and carbon absorption value of old trees. Large, mature trees, some over a century old in this belt, play a critical role in regulating microclimates, supporting biodiversity, and offering carbon sinks. The removal of such a massive number raises concerns of deforestation-induced heat, groundwater depletion, and reduced air quality for nearby towns.For residents, the issue is not just environmental. The expansion will displace small businesses and families along the roadside, many of whom have been asked to clear 60 feet of encroachment. While authorities argue the new alignment will ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents, local voices claim the social and ecological costs have not been properly addressed.
Officials believe the new highway will significantly improve regional connectivity, reduce bottlenecks during heavy pilgrim traffic, and ensure safer travel. The construction deadline has been set for March next year. Yet, the larger concern remains whether such projects are being executed with genuine sustainability in mind.Urban development specialists point out that India’s growth story cannot be pursued at the expense of green cover. Highways must increasingly integrate eco-sensitive design, tree translocation where feasible, and green corridors alongside widened stretches to strike a balance. Without these safeguards, rapid infrastructure expansion risks aggravating climate challenges in already vulnerable districts like Shahjahanpur.The highway expansion may promise economic acceleration, but it comes with an environmental bill that the region may be paying for decades to come.
