A contentious proposal to widen a major internal road at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has ignited a fierce confrontation between the university administration and environmental activists. The dispute centers around the potential felling of dozens of mature trees to accommodate modern traffic, with the local forest department confirming that 94 trees are already under formal assessment for removal.
The Battle Lines Are Drawn
The conflict came to a head when students and environmentalists noticed limestone markings and cross-signs painted on the trunks of numerous trees along the internal stretch connecting the Golden Jubilee landmark to the Mela Ground. These markings are widely interpreted as a sign that the trees are slated for cutting, sparking immediate alarm over the fate of the university's cherished, decades-old green canopy.
Environmental campaigners argue that the proposed expansion would cause irreversible damage to the campus's historical ecology. Amandeep Singh Bains of the Public Action Committee (PAC) Mattewara has vocally opposed the move, stating that losing these trees would create a "20-year hole" in the university's green cover. In a social media appeal, he urged Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal to withdraw the proposal entirely.
University's Stance: Modernizing Outdated Infrastructure
The university administration, however, defends the project as an essential upgrade for contemporary needs. Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal pointed out that the campus layout was primarily designed in the 1970s, a time when vehicular traffic was minimal. "When I joined in 1974, there were only three cars on the entire campus. Today, both students and faculty members own cars," Gosal explained.
The administration identifies the biannual 'Kisan Mela' (farmers' fair) as a critical logistical challenge. Managing the influx of over 3,500 vehicles during the event on the existing narrow roads has become unfeasible. The proposed solution is to widen the contested road to 50 feet, following the precedent of a similar expansion previously completed at Gate Number 1.
Official Assessments and Mounting Protests
Despite the administration labeling the project as being in an "assessment phase," the Ludhiana divisional forest office has already prepared a report on the 94 trees after a request from local authorities. Sources indicate that the initial proposal was even more drastic, seeking permission to remove nearly 150 trees before being revised downward.
The situation has galvanized the student community. Protesters gathered on campus, chanting "drakht bachao" (save the trees). Student leader Harman Mann criticized the rationale, stating, "There is hardly any traffic on this stretch on regular days. They want to cut these beautiful trees just for a two-day event held twice a year. This action contradicts the vision of M S Randhawa, who was instrumental in curating this campus's lush greenery."
The standoff continues, with environmentalists and students demanding sustainable alternatives to address traffic congestion, while the administration insists that infrastructure development is vital for the university's functioning, especially during large-scale events like the Kisan Mela.
