Trees axed at Vellore Collectorate to make space for new office block

Vellore

The location, which is being used as a dump yard of old and condemned government vehicles awaiting public auction, is just behind the Collector’s official chamber.

Work to cut trees started on Friday after the vehicles were removed. Official sources said that an integrated District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) complex has been planned at the site. Though presently housed within the five-storeyed main block, sources said, an integrated DRDA complex was deemed necessary as some related unit offices, including that of the Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Corporation were functioning from a rented space.

“Though work on the construction should have started more than a year ago, it was delayed as the Forest department did not the clearance certificate for the removal of the trees,” officials said.

What galls nature lovers is that the area was afforested when the Collectorate complex was constructed 30 years ago. Though it presently houses a full grown park with a working fountain, it remains out of bounds for both government officials and the public for reasons best known to the powers that be.

The orders were issued despite the fact that the complex was being used every day by nearly 250 joggers.