A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur granted permission to the NHAI to cut the 3847 trees as also 3205 other trees falling in the protected forest area on the condition that the land for compensatory afforestation is identified first.
The bench said that under the compensatory afforestation, 23,000 trees should be planted.
Counsel for Central Pollution Control Board (CPCBB) Vijay Panjwani said no complaint has been received till now that compliance of the order for compulsary afforestation was not done.
The project for widening of existing 4-lane to 6-lane from Agra to Etawah bypass of NH-2 is of 124km with around 23km road coming under Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ).