Candlelight protest at KBR park against tree felling for flyovers

Residents of Hyderabad staged a candlelight protest at KBR Park opposing the felling of trees for proposed steel flyovers and underpasses. This marked the third consecutive protest in three days. Environmentalists and activists criticised the lack of transparency and ecological foresight in the project.

Hyderabad: A candlelight protest was held against the felling of trees surrounding KBR Park for the upcoming proposed steel flyovers and underpasses. The protest was held under the aegis of Save KBR Park.

This was the third consecutive protest within the span of three days on the same issue.

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Over 30 participants gathered in front of the main entrance of the park to oppose indiscriminate tree-cutting and held candles as part of the demonstration. Children, women, and evening walkers took part in the protest and expressed their solidarity with the protesters. A few protesters raised their voices in the candle vigil protest.

Sreecharan Gullapalli, said, “We are repeating the same planning mistakes – prioritising flyovers over sustainable mobility. This approach has failed in every major city in the world.”

Ambica Srimal, who has been actively involved in this campaign, said: “This is not just about trees. This is about governance. When decisions are made without transparency, without consultation, and without accountability, citizens are left with no choice but to resist.”

Kaajal Maheshwari, an environmentalist said “The legality of this project is definitely questionable but the bigger worry is the ecological consequences.

Other demands of the protesters, include:

-Stop all ongoing work immediately. No activity must continue unless:

-A lawful Environmental Impact Assessment is conducted

-An independent third-party transparent traffic study is placed in the public domain

-All environmental and statutory clearances are secured.

-Zonal plans and Detailed Project Reports are disclosed

-The legally mandated public hearing is held. With the matter currently sub judice, any continued work is being viewed as a direct affront to the rule of law.