With no bids, BBMP outs 2nd tender for axing 49 trees

The BBMP has called tenders for the second time to cut 49 trees to make way for the one-km stretch of the metro line connecting Gottigere and Nagawara (Reach 6) in Phase 2.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has got permission from the Palike to fell 49 trees, one shy of the number mandating public consultation, as per the law. The first tender was called last month and July 3 was set as the last date.

“However, no one came forward to bid for the trees. Since the delay will lead to the escalation of the Metro construction cost, we have floated the tender again, setting July 18 as the date for applying,” a source in the corporation said.

Asked about the reason for the lack of response to the first tender process, a BBMP official said bidders were fearing public backlash.

“There have been repeated protests by the people against the felling of trees for the metro project. The bidders fear that their money and time will be wasted if the cutting of trees is halted midway following protests,” the official told DH.

The tender-cum-auction will be held on July 18 for “disposal” of 49 trees, including three banyan, 10 rain trees, seven honge (Pongamia) and five akasha mallige (Millingtonia). In case of the auction not being held on July 18, the re-tender will be held on July 21. In its environmental impact study for the Gottigere-Nagawara metro line released last year, BMRCL had said that 690 trees will be cut for the project. Of these, 438 trees were to be axed for the elevated section and 252 for the 13-km underground section. However, with the officials reducing the underground section, the length of the elevated stretch will increase. Officials are yet to confirm the number of trees affected by the change in the structure of the project.

Locations Trees to be cut * Elevated section 438 Underground section 252 Total 690