BANGALORE: Metro rail work was hindered in the Lalbagh area late on Sunday night. Members of Hasiru Usiru protested when after a Eucalyptus tree was chopped and another eucalyptus tree was being felled.
Around 10 members of Hasiru Usiru protested the felling of trees. Later, ACP, Jayanagar, Rameshchandra arrived at the spot and ordered that the work be stopped. He also ordered the vehicles, meant to carry the chopped trees, to be moved away from the spot.
Vinay, a member of Hasiru Usiru, said: “They were felling a tree inside Lalbagh and a resident of this area informed us around 9.45 pm. The BMRCL is going ahead with felling of trees despite Minister for Transport, R Ashok’s assurance that no metro work would be carried out in Lalbagh area till May 16.’’ “We informed the Jayanagar MLA, BN Vijayakumar, who called the police. The police reached the spot. However, the work was stopped only when the ACP of the area arrived at the spot.’’
BMRCL stand
MD, BMRCL, N Sivasailam, (from New Delhi) told The New Indian Express: “Yes, the work in Lalbagh area is on and will go on. The protestors can keep protesting but the work will go on.We have clarified the issue earlier and have nothing more to say on this. Metro works 24X7 to meet deadlines.
“The BMRCL has been following all the rules and government orders in proceeding with the work. Action will be taken against the culprits in accordance with law,’’ added Sivasailam.
Sivasailam clarified that the trees being felled were Eucalyptus trees, which do not require any permission to be felled as they do not fall under the purview of the Trees Act. A government order has granted 1,135.18 sq mt land to the BMRCL and allowed for the chopping of 19 trees, which include 18 eucalyptus trees.
BMRCL has acquired the land from the Department of Horticulture. Chief Engineer, Reach IV, BMRCL, Captain Doddihal, who was present at the spot, said that night time was chosen to fell the trees to avoid disruption of traffic and inconvenience to the commuters and residents of the area.