BBMP plants an idea for Bellary Road makeover

BBMP plants an idea for Bellary Road makeover

Krishnaprasad

Scheme not just to beautify but also absorb air, noise and light pollution

The project may cost Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh

Air pollution could be reduced by 40 per cent

Bangalore: Here is some good news for those distressed by the felling of trees and mounting of concrete structures on Bellary Road. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), under fire for cutting many old trees to widen Bellary Road (Ramana Maharshi Road) to improve connectivity to the new airport, is coming out with a scheme not just to grow trees but also to naturally reduce noise and air pollution besides reducing the glare of the headlights of vehicles moving on this stretch.

Under this beautification and anti-pollution project, the BBMP is preparing to plant 800 saplings of various species — mainly of those which remain green throughout the year and yield colourful flowers. Planting will commence soon after the completion of ongoing road widening works from High Grounds junction to the Hebbal Flyover.

BBMP’s Deputy Conservator of Forests Shekhar told The Hindu that plant varieties such as jacaranda, lagerstroemia and tabebuia which grow about 10 to 15 feet tall, will be grown on the left side of Bellary Road from Sanjaynagar stretch till Hebbal flyover. Long lasting shrub varieties such as ixora, nerium and nandi batlu will be planted in the median of this stretch.
Anti-pollution shrubs

These shrub varieties, which have oil glands, will absorb the suspended particles from smoke emitted by vehicles and thereby reduce the air pollution, pointed out Mr. Shekhar.

Besides, these thick shrubs will also absorb noise and protect the drivers from the glare of the headlights of the vehicles coming from the opposite side. Dwarf trees will be grown in between the shrubs.

Akash Mallige variety of trees will be grown on the left side of the road from Golf Course till Windsor Manor junction. A sapling will be planted every 5 metres and will be protected by a tree guard. The project is likely to cost about Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh. It might take about two to three years to see the result of this exercise by the BBMP as a sapling would take three years to grow.
Root control

Mr. Shekhar said that the project has been prepared based on the advise of environmentalist A.N Yellappa Reddy, who suggested various measures to protect environment apart from growing trees in consultation with BBMP Commissioner S. Subramanya. The air pollution could be reduced by 40 per cent under this project, added Mr. Shekhar.

Meanwhile, in an effort to prevent haphazard growth of roots of these roadside trees, the BBMP will insert a pipe along with the root of the plant into the soil so that the water supplied does not flow horizontally. This method well control the growth of the root and ensure that the roots grow vertically downwards thereby preventing damages to the pavements and road, he explained.