Roots and branches cut to construct footpath cum walkway endangering live of a 200-year old rain-tree in front of the residences of high officials at Raja Bahadur Road in the city.
Local journalists and environment activists after informed about the incident rushed to the spot succeeded to suspend the work temporarily on Tuesday noon.
Barek Mia, a labour engaged in cutting the branches and roots of the old tree, told as per order of the contractor they cutting the roots and branches for doing the construction work.
Shahidullah Chowdhury Khoka, contractor for the work, said a 4-feet wide and 400-feet long footpath cum walkway at the cost of Tk 11 lakhs would be constructed on lakeside spot of that road.
The contractor also claimed that the work including cutting roots and branches of that tree was doing as per design and approval of the public works department.
Barun Bishwas, PWD sub-divisional engineer in charge of that work, said the contractor was asked not to cut the roots or damage tree during giving work order and cutting branches of the tree was not needed for constructing the footpath cum walkway.
