The New Indian Express 29.09.2010
BBMP waits for SC’s nod to fell 856 trees
BANGALORE: On one hand the city corporation has earmarked crores of rupees in its budget to build tree parks and on the other hand, it is seeking permission to fell as many as 856 trees to widen a road.The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the state government have approached the Supreme Court to file an interim application wherein they have sought permission to cut 856 trees in the city. The trees will be felled to widen a 5.5-km stretch on Palace Road. The stretch in question starts from BDA junction and goes around Jayamahal.
BBMP Chief Engineer (Major Roads), Chikrayappa, told Express that the trees that would be axed are saplings and not mature trees. He said many of the trees that would be felled were recently planted along the roads. He said only those trees would be felled that would obstruct widening the stretch.
The chief engineer said a compound wall would be built along the widened stretch and trees would have to be felled for it too. He added that trees would be felled only where necessary.
Chikrayappa informed that they were waiting for the approval of the Supreme Court to start work on the stretch. He said once the work started, it would be completed within 12 months.
The BBMP’s road widening drive has seen stiff opposition from resident welfare organisations in the city. It was alleged that road widening in the city was being taken up in an unscientific manner. Even Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Sureshkumar had spoken against it. Amid increasing opposition from public and organisations, Mayor S K Nataraj had said no road widening work would be taken up unless it had been discussed.
