Bangalore Metro has received Go Ahead from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to axe over 165 trees to build five Metro stations for Reach 6. The BMRCL can go ahead with the tree-felling after 15 days.
The BBMP, while according permission to fell the trees, stated that the Tree Expert Committee had discussed it with the Namma Metro, if there was an option to change the alignment of the project to save more trees on the site. “The presentation of the Metro plan and the site visit convinced the Tree Expert Committee that change in alignment will not be possible,” the letter with details on the number of trees to be retained, translocated and felled for Metro’s Reach 6 Project, states.
On May 21, HS Rangaswamy, Tree Officer and Deputy Conservator of Forest (BBMP), in his letter to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), accorded permission for the removal of 165 trees. The Committee has, however, retained only three trees that were identified by Namma Metro for felling. The letter also shows that the BMRCL has been directed to translocate 114 trees.