Nandidurga Road gets 10 saplings; motorists get new obstacles

Bengaluru: In what residents call a lack of application of mind, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has planted about a dozen saplings along the edge of Nandidurga Road, responding to requests from some locals who felt the stretch lacked enough tree cover.

The move has, however, irked others, who believe the saplings encroach upon road space, could damage the surface, and pose risks to motorists as they grow bigger.

Typically, the BBMP plants saplings on footpaths. But on Nandidurga Road, the saplings have come up on the road itself — particularly near a pharmacy and bus stop — as the pedestrian pavement is either too narrow or encroached upon.

Some residents find the BBMP’s approach baffling.

"First of all, the saplings have been planted along a narrow section of Nandidurga Road. The traffic volume is high and already slows down due to congestion. When these saplings grow, and in time, their roots may create uneven surfaces on the road,” said Satya A, a resident of Nandidurga Extension.

Bescom cables

Residents also pointed to the presence of Bescom cables beneath the areas where the saplings have been planted.

"This may become another problem in the long run," they said, and urged the BBMP to consult the Forest Department and citizen groups before taking up such plantation drives.