In a major revision aimed at reducing environmental damage, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is likely to scale down its earlier proposal to cut over 11,000 trees for the upcoming Namma Metro Phase 3 project. The revised plan now estimates the felling of approximately 6,000 trees.
According to the Detailed Project Report, around 11,137 trees were initially expected to be impacted across the 44.65-km-long stretch that comprises two corridors. However, BMRCL clarified that this figure included both trees slated for removal and those that might be transplanted, subject to technical feasibility and environmental assessments that are still underway.
The revised decision comes after the BMRCL has been receiving feedback from multiple stakeholders during public consultation meetings happening on the metro phase 3 project.
“As a public infrastructure developer, we have a responsibility to balance urban growth with environmental sustainability. After carefully reviewing suggestions so far we got from citizens, we have been reworking our design and engineering plans to reduce the number of trees that need to be felled. We are also looking at large-scale transplantation wherever possible. Our aim is to implement the project with minimal ecological disruption,” said a senior BMRCL official involved in the planning process.
