Tirupur: Five fully-grown trees on Coimbatore-Trichy highway have been felled allegedly to facilitate passage to a private commercial complex that is under construction at Vellakoil on the outskirts of the city.When Vellakoil was a town panchayat years ago, its administrative office was functioning out of a tiled roof building near the old bus stand on the Coimbatore-Trichy highway. The building also housed a fire and rescue services station.Though the government offices had been shifted to other places, the building continues to exist with ashoka, neem and other trees in front of it. On Monday night, unidentified miscreants axed five trees and demolished compound wall of the building.Residents said the trees might have been felled to facilitate passage to a private commercial complex, which is under construction, behind the old building. “The trees were obstructing the view of the commercial complex. Hence, its owner might have axed the trees in collusion with government officials.”When contacted, a senior national highway official said they had received a complaint in this regard and an assistant engineer had inspected the spot. “We will conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action.”

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