Bengaluru Namma Metro Goes Green: Planting 15,000 Trees To Combat Phase 2 Expansion

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is launching a major reforestation initiative to compensate for trees removed during the Phase 2 of Namma Metro expansion. This project aims to plant 15,000 saplings at a total cost of Rs 76.9 crore.

Planting in Phases:

The greening project will be rolled out in stages. The initial focus will be on planting 5,000 saplings in Dabus Town, near the 4th Industrial Area and surrounding government properties. Each of the three project phases will be allocated a budget of Rs 2.03 crore.

Finding New Homes for Trees:

BMRCL plans to plant the remaining saplings in designated garden and buffer zones within the KIADB lands in Doddaballapur and other government-owned areas. This initiative reflects their commitment to promoting environmental sustainability alongside infrastructure development.

It's important to note that BMRCL has already taken steps to minimize tree loss. Between 2021 and 2022, they successfully relocated 856 trees and transplanted an additional 1,193 to safer locations.

With the monsoon approaching, BMRCL is taking preventive measures to safeguard both metro operations and the city's trees. They plan to prune branches on 750 trees along the East-West Corridor and 380 trees on the North-South Corridor. This will minimize the risk of branch falls and ensure uninterrupted metro services.

Environmental groups have expressed strong interest in the reforestation project, with several participating in the ongoing tender evaluation process. BMRCL plans to begin planting during the rainy season to leverage the natural benefits of this period for optimal sapling growth and survival rates.