According to the deputy conservator of forests and tree officer, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has authorised the destruction of over 800 trees for three key projects in the city.
What’s it about? The reconstruction of the Yeshwantpur railway station, a road-widening initiative by the Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL), and a metro project in the Kempapura neighbourhood are among the projects that have been authorised.
Yeshwantpur station: During the public notice period, the South Western Railway’s proposal to renovate the Yeshwantpur railway station received just a single objection. The lone concern was about the city’s declining greenery and suggested substitute ideas that wouldn’t require removing trees.
- The tree officer, after evaluation, has ordered the cutting down of 141 trees while preserving 79 trees and relocating 33.
KRDCL project: This project, which intends to rehabilitate a 5-km section of road between Gunjur and Belathur, also received one objection. The agency plans to enlarge the road and establish a signal-free corridor because the existing section is overcrowded and is inside BBMP boundaries.
- 480 trees will be cut, 163 trees will be retained, and 82 will be relocated, per the tree officer’s order.
ORR-Airport Metro line: This project received 97 objections. 203 trees will be cut, 14 trees will be retained, and 43 will be relocated, per the tree officer’s order.