BMRCL has earmarked 2,174 trees for felling

BBMP invited citizens' feedback on proposed tree felling

Potential impact on the area's green cover

The green cover along Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) between JP Nagar and Mysuru Road faces a significant reduction as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) plans to extend its metro lines to Western Bengaluru. As part of the Namma Metro Phase 3A project, BMRCL has earmarked 2,174 trees for felling on a 10-kilometre stretch to make way for an elevated metro corridor.

Also read: Bengaluru: BMRCL to offer semi-naming rights for existing Namma Metro stations

In a public notice issued Tuesday, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) invited citizens to provide feedback on the proposed tree felling. The BMRCL intends to construct eight metro stations along this ORR (West) segment, which is part of a broader 32.16-kilometre extension from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura (Hebbal).

The trees slated for removal include varieties such as gulmohar, rain tree, and mahogany, some with girths up to six feet and heights of 30 feet. Approximately 1,000 of these trees are situated along the ORR’s sides, with the remainder on the median.

Bengaluru’s metro expansion was approved in October 2022, including two corridors: ORR (JP Nagar-Mysuru Road) and Magadi Road (Hosahalli-Kadabagere).

By November 2023, the project received clearance for initial stages, such as land acquisition and tree removal.

The BBMP’s public notice underscores the potential impact on the area’s green cover, mirroring a previous phase where around 2,300 trees were removed between KR Puram and Central Silk Board.