India, Nov. 26 -- Despite earlier assurances that trees would not be cut during road construction and would instead be relocated, large-scale tree felling has begun in Salia Sahi for the Ekamra Kanan-IMA road project in Bhubaneswar.

The situation contradicts the commitment given by Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, who said just six weeks ago at a city event that discussions had been held with the Forest Department to avoid cutting trees and focus on relocation.

The ground reality now paints a different picture. Small trees have already been removed, and machinery has been deployed to bring down larger ones. The felled trees are being shifted elsewhere, but many that could have been relocated safely were cut.

Over 250 big trees ma...