The stretches are set to witness a number of measures meant to replenish the tree cover and give them a makeover.
To make the green belts more accessible and to rejuvenate them after recently clearing them of encroachment, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) is all set to introduce a number of new measures for these green stretches.
The green belts, previously encroached upon by land grabbers, were recently cleared of encroachments following directives from GDA vice-chairman Kanchan Verma.
In the first phase, a stretch of about 8 km — from Rajnagar Extension to Vivekananda Nagar Flyover and again from ALT Chowk Railway Bridge to Raj Nagar Extension — will be upgraded. The development will include the construction of a 10-ft-wide walking track, setting up public urinals, opening small cafeterias and, if feasible, installing solar-powered streetlights.
Speaking to City Spidey, SP Shisodia, horticultural in-charge of GDA, said steps were being taken to replenish the green belts, which will be fenced off to prevent further encroachment.
To replenish the green cover and change the barren look of these belts, tree-planting drives will be carried out, and this time, there will be fruit-bearing trees as well, explained Shisodia. He added, “The walking tracks will not have tiling, neither will they be concrete pavements — they will simply be mud tracks. We are already holding talks with Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam for setting up public urinals.”
Meanwhile, the horticulture department has also planned a large-scale tree-planting drive on July 9. The drive will be conducted at locations across Ghaziabad, with participation from GDA, the district administration, other government departments and, of course, residents.
“We will be planting about 51,000 plants across Ghaziabad. The plants will be distributed free of cost to whoever is willing to participate in the drive. We will be carrying out the drive in residences, societies, schools, hospitals, government premises, green belts, dividers and roadsides. We welcome everybody, including RWAs and other associations, to participate,” Shisodia said.
