India, July 17 -- Public resistance is gathering strength in Uttarakhand again as authorities plan to fell 4,369 trees in the 'Saat Mod' area of Dehradun district as part of the Bhaniawala-Jolly Grant-Rishikesh four-/six-lane project. Of these, 754 trees will be transplanted, while 3,605 will be cut.

The Bhaniawala-Jolly Grant-Rishikesh four/six laning project on National Highway 7 is approximately 20 kilometres long. Being built under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the project will cost approximately Rs 743 crore.

Explaining the need for the project, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) said in a statement, "The existing two-lane road, which passes through the forest, carries approximately 18,456 vehicles daily. This is equiv...