BMRCL has changed the location of Phase 2 RV Road station and tweaked the alignment of the Bommasandra line at the junction after people opposed the design stating it threatens trees inside Lakshman Rao Park.

According to the previous design, the new station would have come up in the park, about 20 metres from the existing RV Road Metro station. However, residents and activists pointed out that the construction work and the station will affect the trees inside the park and opposed the project.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the 18.8 km Reach 5 line between RV Road and Bommasandra has been divided into three packages in the tenders.

“We have now decided to build the new station adjacent to the existing RV Road station. The new line will also pass next to the Phase 1 line. Compared to the previous design, the new arrangement will affect fewer trees,” Kharola said.

K Muddukrishna of Jayanagar Samanvaya Vedike said BMRCL has also agreed to translocate some of the trees instead of felling them.

“The (BMRCL) managing director explained that according to the latest design, the new station has been shifted to RV Road instead of the 3rd Main Road. We were told that the existing RV Road station and the new station will share the same platform. Trees will be cut only for connecting ramps and lifts,” he said.

BMRCL has also assured the forum that trees up to a height of 30 feet can be grown under the Metro line.

“A case regarding felling of trees in the park is pending before the National Green Tribunal. Since BMRCL has agreed to save most of the trees, we have no problem with the project now,” he said.

Muddukrishna said the forum will work with BMRCL in developing greenery between the Metro pillars.

DH News Service