From shady to swanky. The jury is out on whether the treeless transformation of Tinplate-Nildih Road in Jamshedpur feels good but citizens agree the changes make vehicular flow in one of the city's busiest stretches smoother.

Tinplate-Nildih Road, after being widened, has a new central verge or divider, with footpaths on both sides being installed and lampposts put up on the divider. But, to widen the road, civic guardian Jusco had to fell about 60 trees, including peepal and banyan, most over a century old and planted around the time the industrial city was born.

Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan said efforts were on to finish installing lampposts on the divider of the two-lane road before Founder's Day, which marks the birth anniversary of J.N. Tata. "Footpaths are also coming up on both sides of the widened road. It will be one of the most attractive roads of the steel city," Rajan said.

It took more than a year to widen the 500-metre stretch of the road connecting Tinplate and Nildih as Jusco workers took time to fell trees on both sides of the road.

But, people who loved the shade of the old trees admit the new-look road would take time getting used to.

"I admit the road looks nice after widening, allows more space for vehicles and the new divider reduces chances of mishap. But, I feel sorry for the trees that were planted in the early 20th century, which had to be sacrificed to pave way for the road widening work," said Satpal Singh, a resident of Nildih. "I miss the trees while driving. This summer, many others will too."

But, resident of Tinplate Mahesh Kumar welcomed the move. "The utility company (Jusco) needs to be thanked for installing lamps on the divider which look good and ensure proper illumination. Earlier, lighting arrangements were not up to the mark."

A rough estimate suggests that over 50,000 vehicles ply on that stretch of Tinplate-Nildih Road a day, making it one of the busiest roads of the city. Tinplate-Nildih Road, which extends up to Telco, also sees trucks when no-entry regulations are relaxed thrice a day.

For nature lovers, there is some good news. A park will come up along the road at Tinplate. "It will boast flowers and plants, seating arrangements and a joggers' track. Efforts are on to ready it by March first week," said an official of TCIL, executing the project.