Several mature trees — some of them more than seven decades old — have been felled to widen a stretch of Shastrinagar Main Road in Kadma, causing resentment among environmentalists.

The 3km artery linking the commercial hub of Bistupur with Marine Drive is being widened into four lanes for an estimated cost of Rs 12.1 crore.

To facilitate the project, which commenced earlier this year and is staring at a February 2019 deadline, Jusco’s town division has axed at least 20 trees, which has angered residents no less.

“These trees have been an integral part of our growing-up years. We have played under their shade; we have climbed them; and we have watched them protect others from sun and rain. How could Jusco just fell these trees in the name of development?” grocer Dharni Sao, 50, share his disbelief.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, 40, a security officer, argued that Jusco could have found a way to bypass the rows of trees.

“Had the alignment of the central verge been altered, many of the trees could have been saved. But, all our pleas fell on deaf ears. The authorities were adamant, saying they were planting saplings instead. Can saplings really compensate for mature trees? It will take them a generation to become trees,” Singh said.

K.K. Sharma, a retired zoology professor and an avid birder, pointed out that Jamshedpur has 29.5 per cent of green cover against a requirement of 33 per cent under the National Forest Policy, 1988.

“Axing full-grown trees is a disaster for the ecology, as there are no short-term replacements. Instead of felling trees, the authorities could have accommodated the trees on the median,” Sharma said.

City planners couldn’t care less perhaps. An official associated with the road project said the carriageway was ready and the focus was now on the 1.2-metre-wide median. The trees gone, the central verge will boast double-arm lamp posts.

“The widened road will facilitate passage of heavy vehicles and ease congestion on city roads. We plan to finish the project by February,” he said.

Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan claimed they had no option but to cut down the trees. “It was a matter of commuter safety. We have followed all the norms; have taken permission from forest authorities for the road widening project; and will undertake a massive plantation exercise in nearby vacant plots soon,” he said.

Jamshedpur DFO Saba Alam agreed that a permission to fell trees was granted to Jusco. “Since it is non-forest land, we allowed Jusco to go ahead with road widening work. Officials have assured us that doubled the number of trees axed will be planted,” he said.