300 trees to be chopped for widening Palace, Jayamahal Roads

Even as a case against the chopping of 812 trees for the steel flyover is being heard, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is conducting a survey for widening Palace and Jayamahal Roads.

Sources told DH that the government is planning to argue this point before the NGT that when trees are cut for road widening, the steel flyover will be on the same stretch and so needs no clearance. A total of 300 trees were earlier identified to be axed to make way for the road widening project.

BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad confirmed that the survey for the road widening from BDA head office to Mehkri Circle and from Mehkri Circle to Cantonment Station is being done.

 “Under this survey, the whole area is being surveyed. BBMP is examining how many trees it can save. The roads are at present 20 to 25 metres wide and will be increased to 40 metres After the survey is completed, plan estimate will be prepared, tenders will be called and then it will be placed before the government for approval,” he said.

Prasad said he forest department and BBMP, while widening Jayamahal Main Road, saved the trees from being axed by using them as medians.