Tree felling: Palike ignored HC fiat on public consult

Chief Justice J S Khehar had mandated that the government should seek public opinion before carrying out any work that is directly related to public interest. But, in the case of the Suranjan Das road-widening work, the Palike neither published advertisement nor did it hold public consultation. The Palike also didn’t follow the norm that mandates it to auction tree-felling after publishing advertisement and public consultation.

A BBMP official told Deccan Herald that the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which proposed the project, should ideally conduct public consultation.

“The HAL is parting with 28,875 sq mts of land for the road-widening project. As the road is being widened on the HAL land, public consultation was not held by the BBMP,” said the officer.   

Subramanian, a resident, said there are many obstacles to carry out the road-widening work.

"There is a railway track along Geetanjali Layout, and a huge defence building near BEML building on one side of the road. Even if the Palike executes the project, it will be a confusing zigzag path," he said.

The BBMP official said they are also planning to construct an underpass near the Airport Road for free flow of traffic.

The Suranjan Das Road connects the Old Airport Road to Old Madras Road.

The Palike and Bagmane Tech Park will share the cost of the Rs 14.74-cr project in the ratio of 75:25. The stretch also links to the Tech Park, DRDO, BEML, HAL, Aero Space Division where major IT companies are located.

A bid for Rs 2.48 lakh has been made for felling nearly 183 trees belonging to the species of Peltophorum, Gulmohar, Jakaranda, Rain tree, Ashoka, Spathodea, Glycidia, Silver Oak, Pongamia.

For every tree axed here, the HAL will plant two trees and BBMP five, at the available locations in parks along the Suranjan Das Road.