Felling of trees needed for Metro safety: BMRC MD

Felling of trees needed for Metro safety: BMRC MD
Deccan Herald

"We tried our best to protect the trees. But 16 trees have to be removed as they come in the way of the alignment. More importantly, they have to be cut in the interest of safety of the train."


Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation’s (BMRC) move to take up the metro rail work on the elevated promenade on M G Road, has drawn criticism from concerned citizens of the City. BMRC Managing Director V Madhu responds to some issues, in an interview with Deccan Herald. Excerpts:

DH: Can’t this stretch be made underground, instead of elevated?

Madhu: This was debated at length while preparing the plan. It is not possible as the entire seven-km stretch between Byappanahalli and Kanteerava Stadium has to be underground. If it is done, the cost escalation will roughly be Rs 1,400 crores, which is too high. It was because of making preparations for financial arrangement, the project was delayed for 16 years.



Won’t the running of train right above the walkers’ head create nuisance?

The pillers will be around 32 feet above the ground level and the train will be running much above it. Hence, it will not affect pedestrians in any way. As all coaches will be air-conditioned and windows are electronically operated, pedestrians need not worry about spitting and spilling of water from the train.



Is there anyway to avoid felling 16 trees?

I know these trees are very important. We tried our best to protect them.

But 16 trees have to be removed as they come in the way of the alignment. More importantly, they have to be cut in the interest of safety of the train.

As a mark of BMRC’s concern for environment, over 15,000 trees have been placed on the outskirts of Bangalore with the help of BBMP and BDA, while only 1,100 trees are proposed to be cut for the project.



HEARING ADJOURNED

A petition challenging the preliminary notification of the Karnataka Industrial Area Developmental Board (KIADB) which sought to acquire land on MG Road for the metro rail project came up before the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday. Justice Ajith Gunjal has adjourned further hearing on the matter.

C D Medappa and several others in their petition challenged the preliminary notification of the KIADB dated January 21, 2006 which sought to acquire 9,789 square feet of land on No. 21 MG Road. The petitioners called in question the validity notification terming it as ultra vires and bad in law.