A long strip of ochre soil marks the widening work on National Highway 163 near Chevella, between Aloor and Damaragidda villages. The road expansion uses laterite soil for a solid bed. Near the road stands a large banyan tree, trunk burning beneath fresh ash. This tree survived threats to be cut down after a National Green Tribunal ruling. The highways authority agreed to keep 765 banyan trees where they grew and move 150 others to the road's shoulder. These trees are part of the 1036 banyans originally counted in 2017. Since then, over 100 trees were illegally cut, reducing the number to under 900 by 2019. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, more trees were burnt or damaged, likely by upset property owners frustrated with project delays. A 2020 survey recorded 101 trees damaged or uprooted. A recent 2025 survey by the Vata Foundation counted 867 trees still standing between Moinabad and Manneguda, with 184 burnt at their base. Of the 765 trees meant to stay, 729 are left, but 161 are damaged by fire. Banyan tree number 734 burned for three days before collapsing this week. Alongside, two large fallen banyans rest on the soil edge. P. Uday Krishna, Vata Foundation founder, says, “At least 10 trees disappeared at the same location... This is sabotage, not isolated incidents. More trees may burn, making the campaign pointless.” The fight to save Chevella’s banyans continues amid these troubling signs.