BMRCL to Reduce Tree Felling for Metro Phase 3 from 11,000 to 6,000

Quick Summary

• Bangalore metro rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) revises plans for Namma Metro Phase 3 to reduce tree-felling from 11,137 to approximately 6,000.
• The initial count included trees slated for removal and potential transplantation; environmental assessments are still ongoing.
• Public consultations influenced the decision to minimize ecological impact through design adjustments and large-scale transplantation efforts.
• phase 3 (Orange Line) is entirely elevated, spanning two corridors:

– Corridor 1: J.P. Nagar Phase 4 to Kempapura (32.15 km).
– Corridor 2: Hosahalli to Kadabagere (12.5 km).

• The project integrates with existing metro lines and includes key interchange points like J.P. Nagar, Peenya, Mysuru Road, Hebbal among others.
• project completion targeted by the year 2029; expected daily ridership of over 7.85 lakh commuters after full extension.
• Environmental measures include ₹43.53 crore investment in afforestation as part of its compensatory strategies.
• Land acquisition involves about 777 private properties with coordination from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) focusing on minimal infrastructure disruption.
• Cost estimate stands at ₹15,611 crore funded through loans (~₹7,577 crore), non-fare revenues (~₹450 crore), alongside central & state financial contributions.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The revised decision by BMRCL reflects a stronger commitment toward balancing infrastructure progress with environmental sustainability-a crucial consideration in transforming urban spaces like Bengaluru into smarter cities without sacrificing ecological stability. While public consultations clearly played a significant role in driving revisions to the original plan-an encouraging sign of participatory governance-the scale-down from over 11,000 trees felled to transplantation or limited removal of around half that number is noteworthy.

This move could serve as a template for other metro-related projects across India where rapid urban expansion risks contradicting conservation goals unless mitigated thoughtfully during planning stages.Moreover,integration with existing lines promises improved connectivity but also underscores challenges tied to delays caused by realignment complexity and land disputes-a persistent issue in major infrastructure undertakings nationwide.

compensatory afforestation initiatives and clear funding via loans combined with innovative station naming rights suggest resourcefulness on behalf of BMRCL while addressing both ecological concerns and financing pressures effectively.

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