From 2018 to 2021, more than a lakh trees have been cut down across Karnataka to build roads and highways, according to the state public works department (PWD). Another 1,200 trees will be felled in Bengaluru soon for the suburban rail project.
The development of the new Bengaluru-Mysuru highway (NH 275) saw 11,078 trees chopped down for its development. In 2019, phase 2 of Namma Metro – from RV Road to Bommasandra – saw 1,253 trees being felled.Bengaluru is set to lose more trees this year with orders being passed in favour of the rail infrastructure development project. In February, the Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE), was granted permission to cut down 1,234 trees between Baiyappanahalli and Lottegollahalli.
In order to put a 216-metre-wide concourse, a mall and separate entry and exit points at the Yeshwantpur railway station, the South Western Railway got permission to cut down 141 trees in January. For the Yeshwanthpur–Channasandra rail doubling project, KRIDE has already received permission to cut 698 trees and translocate 38 others in March.
Now, KRIDE has reportedly received permission to cut down 1,200 trees for the Corridor-2 project, which runs for 25 kms from Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara.
