Shillong: Scores of 100 year old English pine trees planted during the British regime at the iconic stretch in Upper Shillong have been cut down for the road expansion and four-lane construction.
The pictures and videos of falling trees went viral on social media which has irked the residents of Shillong and they criticized the authorities for destroying the beauty of the place.
Around 4,447 trees along the entire 71.5 kms Shillong-Dawki stretch were likely to be cut down.
With century-old pine trees, the stretch has been a major attraction among tourists visiting Shillong across the country.
After strong opposition and criticism from people, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had asked the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to immediately stop felling the trees till the Government comes up with a better solution.