Kengeri Outer Ring Road to lose 95 more trees

Among the 95 marked for clearance, are mahogany trees, honge, peepal and Jamun trees

Close on the heels of the announcement that 83 trees on Kengeri Outer Ring Road are set to be cleared to build an underpass near Ullal junction, the BBMP has now sought permission to remove an additional 95 trees for a similar project near Annapoorneshwari Nagar.

Among the 95 marked for clearance — cutting or transplantation — are mahogany trees of more than one-metre girth, honge, peepal and Jamun trees. The BBMP has invited objections from the public for the felling of trees.

The grade separator involves a 1-km underpass for vehicles on the Kengeri Outer Road, known as 80 Feet Ring Road. The trees on the roadside are from the starting point of the underpass at Unity Lifeline Hospital to the HDFC bank. Members of the public have 10 days to submit their views regarding tree felling.

The grade separator is expected to bring service roads with shoulder drains on either side of the main carriageway. As the main carriageway takes away most of the traffic on the road connecting Magadi and Mysore Roads, it is expected to pave the way for the smooth flow of vehicles on the Annapoorneshwari Nagar-ORR Road.

Similar projects are in the pipeline at other junctions as civic officials plan to ease traffic congestion by expanding the carriageway. The BBMP last week called objections for the felling of 83 trees for a similar project at Ullal Junction to ease the traffic congestion on the Kengeri and Magadi roads. A separator at HMT Road is also on the cards. Work on another grade separator, involving a flyover and underpass, is expected to come up at the intersection of Kerekodi Main Road with the ORR near Hosakerehalli. A list of trees to be cleared is expected to be out soon.