Massive Tree Felling Along Katakhal Embankment Sparks Environmental Outrage in Agartala Under Smart City Project

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 29, 2026

In the name of the Smart City project, hundreds of trees are being indiscriminately felled along the banks of Katakhal, triggering serious environmental concerns and public anger in Agartala. Earlier too, large numbers of old and newly grown trees were cut down across the city, including along Airport Road and several other areas, ostensibly to facilitate Smart City works. However, in most cases, compensatory plantation has either not been carried out at all or remains grossly inadequate.

Serious allegations have surfaced that contractors engaged by the Smart City authorities are cutting trees for their own operational convenience without obtaining mandatory permission from the Forest Department. It is further alleged that there is little to no monitoring by either the Forest Department or the Smart City authorities, allowing such activities to continue unchecked.

Ironically, forest and environmental experts have long advised plantation along river and canal embankments as a natural and effective measure to prevent soil erosion and embankment collapse. Defying this established principle, the Agartala Smart City authorities are now accused of moving in the opposite direction. The latest instance of what residents describe as systematic green destruction has allegedly taken place under the patronage of the Smart City Limited and Agartala Municipal Corporation, with Katakhal embankment emerging as the newest victim.

According to local sources, hundreds of trees planted along a long stretch of the Katakhal embankment have been completely cleared by the Smart City authorities without obtaining approval from the Forest Department. Many of these trees were planted by NGOs and local citizens themselves, motivated by government campaigns encouraging public participation in protecting the embankment. Over the years, these trees had strengthened the embankment naturally by holding the soil together.

Despite this, the authorities have reportedly decided to remove the trees and replace them with boulders as part of an embankment protection plan.

Locals allege that this decision has opened the door for massive financial gains running into crores of rupees. Soon after contracts were awarded, contractors allegedly violated forest laws with impunity and cut down hundreds of trees along Katakhal. There are also allegations that influential leaders of the ruling party have backed the operation.

Following complaints by residents, Forest Department officials visited the site and reportedly detained several woodcutters along with tree-cutting equipment. However, residents allege that no meaningful action followed thereafter. Meanwhile, over several kilometres of the embankment, hundreds of trees have already been felled.

Local people are now demanding identification of all those involved in the large-scale tree felling within the city limits and immediate legal action against the contractors, officials, and others responsible. Environmentalists and residents warn that such unchecked destruction in the name of development will have long-term consequences for Agartala’s ecology, drainage system, and overall urban resilience.

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