1026 trees to be chopped for Metro on ORR; environmentalists want public notice after lockdown is lifted

By Anuksha Dey

The Bangalore Environment Trust (BET) has requested the Deputy Conservator of Forests to re-issue the public notice for Phase 2A of the Outer Ring Road Metro. The circular states that BMRCL has applied for a permission to remove 1026 trees to make way for the train tracks, and wants all objections from citizens before May 10. BET said that it was not feasible to respond to the public notice during a lockdown.

What is ORR Line Phase 2?

Phase 2A of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) metro line will connect Central Silk Board to KR Puram. The route will have 13 stops (interchange with the under construction Purple Line), including KR Puram, Mahadevpura, DRDO Sports Complex, Doddanakundi, ISRO, Marathahalli, Kodibisanahalli, Kadubeesanahalli, Bellandur, Ibbalur, Agara Lake, HSR Layout, and Central Silk Board. 

The much-awaited project will connect southeast Bangalore to the city centre as shown in the map below. The ORR line was finally approved in April after a three-year wait. The project has an official deadline of two years. 

Picture credit: The Metro Rail Guy

What does the public notice say?

On April 30, the Deputy Conservator of Forests published a public notice stating that they had applied for a permission to clear 1026 trees for Phase 2A of the ORR Line. According to the notice, the trees have to be cleared for the construction of a 19.63km elevated viaduct between the Central Silk Board junction and KR Puram and Baiyappanahalli. Additionally, trees have to be cleared for the widening of roads and the construction of 13 elevated metro stations. The rest of the 1026 trees will have to be cleared to make way for the creation of utility diversions and other related projects. 

The organisation has also uploaded a detailed list of trees that will be affected by the project. The list includes commonly-found species, such as Henge, Subabul, Huvarasi, Bage, Bave and Coconut, besides Mahogany, Silver Oak and Acacia. 

The trees along the main median connecting metro stations in Kodi Besanahalli, Marathahalli, ISRO, DDKD, DRDO, Mahadevapura, and Baiyapanahalli will be affected. Trees on the footpaths and service roads too may be affected as they are close to the junctions.

So why does BET want the notice to be re-published?

BET believes that publishing such a notice during a lockdown does not give the public a good opportunity to understand the issue or send in their objections. “This is not an opportune moment to ask citizens for their feedback,” Dattatreya T Devare, a trustee of BET, told Residents Watch.

In November 2020, a similar public notice was published in three newspapers, asking for objections against the removal of 91 trees in Benniganahalli.  Over 100 citizens responded with their feedback within the stipulated time of ten days. “The whole idea behind the court’s decision to give this opportunity to the public is that they should inspect the trees, look at the surroundings, and give their objections,” says Devare. “However, in the current situation, it is practically impossible for citizens to visit the area and understand the issue.”