Metro will follow Lalbagh route

Metro will follow Lalbagh route
CM Rejects Greens’ Plea For Realignment
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Those agitating against cutting trees in Lalbagh and other areas for Metro Rail may not relish this news. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Tuesday made it clear he would not buckle under pressure and yield to their demand.
While maintaining he has green concerns, the chief minister said: “Metro has to happen. There are no alternatives. Trees have to be felled for road-widening projects and Metro Rail. We too are concerned about environment. We are cutting trees because it is inevitable. Saplings are being planted to replinish the greenery.’’
The controversy over tree-felling started when Lalbagh, Lakshman Rao boulevard and other parks, considered to be heritage spots of Bangalore, came under the Metro plan. Groups like Hasiru Usiru and hundreds of residents, specially of South Bangalore, are demanding that BMRCL take the Metro underground as it will affect the micro environment of the city.
The campaign intensified after an RTI filed by the activists revealed that 323 trees will be felled on R V Road. Though BMRCL has stated that alternative plans are not feasible and very expensive, activists say they will continue protesting till the government changes its mind.