‘Where are the trees?’ Smriti Irani face question after sharing Delhi Mumbai Expressway video?

As Lok Sabha elections are ongoing, Smriti Z Irani tweeted a video showcasing the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The caption reads, "From India's National Capital to Financial Capital in just 12 hours, thanks to India's Longest Expressway by Modi Govt." The video depicts trees lining both sides of the road. However, DelhiTreesSOS, a citizen movement opposing the unnecessary commercialization of Delhi's green belts, responded with a tweet questioning the whereabouts of the trees. They asked, "Where are the trees?"

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway 🛣

From India's National Capital to Financial Capital in just 12 hours, thanks to India's Longest Expressway by Modi Govt. pic.twitter.com/Rrg00W7nx1

— Smriti Z Irani (Modi Ka Parivar) (@smritiirani) May 5, 2024

As per a tweet by @DelhiTreesSOS, a citizen movement opposing the commercialization of Delhi's green belts, questions have been raised about the whereabouts of the trees along the expressway route. The tweet includes a video highlighting the clearing of original forests and displacement of wildlife to make way for urbanization projects.

Official reports suggest that over 100,000 trees have been lost due to unsustainable development projects in Delhi. Specifically, for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, approximately 32,000 trees have been cut down as of March 26, 2024.

The highway, spanning 166.67 kilometers and passing through Maharashtra's Palghar, Thane, and Raigad districts, requires a total of 2,242 hectares of land, including 304 hectares of forest land. It is estimated that a total of 39,000 trees will be felled in Maharashtra alone for the project.

Besides, in 2019, an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 trees were cut down in Faridabad for the construction of the expressway. The project aims to address dust pollution and preserve the Aravalis along the high-speed road corridor.