BENGALURU
The Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) (K-Ride) has cut 90 trees along Mohan Kumar Road between Mathikere and Yeshwantpur to make way for a proposed double-decker flyover under the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP). The move marks the start of preparatory work for the 1.2km structure, which will carry both a suburban rail line and a road as part of corridor 2 of the project.
As per the plan, a 5.5-metre-wide road will be built on either side at level 1, while the suburban rail viaduct will come up at level 2. The project is estimated to cost Rs 150 crore, with the state government bearing the expenditure. K-Ride officials said tree removal was carried out only after securing approval from the tree officer. Deputy conservator of Forests (Greater Bengaluru Authority) GK Sudarshan told that permission was granted to fell 90 of 98 trees identified along the stretch, the other eight trees have been marked for translocation.
However, residents have raised objection to the axing of decades-old trees. Gayatri Ramnath, a resident of LIC Colony, Mathikere, said, “We’ve been seeing this green avenue for over 20 years. It is distressing to see these trees being cut down.”
“Though we were told it was for the suburban rail line, no effort was made to save the trees,” she added. K-Ride sought clearance for tree removal in January 2024. The trees removed included species such as pongamia, yellow flame, pink trumpet, and mahogany, many with a girth of over 2 metres. The trees were located on the median of the road. For the 8km viaduct and 17.5km at-grade section between Benniganahalli and Chikkabanavara, the tree officer approved the felling of 699 trees, translocation of 89, and retention of 493.