Chinar tree axed to restore HMV traffic on Uri’s Garkote road

Uri, July 30: Authorities on Tuesday axed a 100-year-old chinar tree at Lagama area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla to facilitate the movement of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) on Lagama-Garkote road.

“Administration has cut down the chinar tree today and we have also started the widening of Lagama-Garkote road,” said Ghulam Mustafa, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), PMGSY department Uri.

The road has been closed for heavy vehicles for more than three months due to a portion being washed away by the landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Lagama area.

Greater Kashmir had done multiple stories over the closure of Lagama-Garkote road and reported about locals demanding the axing of this chinar tree and the construction of protection walls near the damaged site.

Following GK reports, district administration Baramulla on July 23 swung into action and ordered the felling of the chinar tree for road widening.

Locals of Garkote village have been facing various hardships due to the closure of the road for HMVs, especially the student community.