A total of 157 trees are proposed to be cut across Bengaluru to make way for the construction of skywalks and foot overbridges at five major railway stations as part of Corridor-2 of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.
Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-Ride), the nodal agency implementing the project, has submitted a request for tree-felling clearance to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). On Saturday, BBMP issued a public notice inviting citizens to share objections or suggestions within 10 days.
Corridor-2, known as the Mallige Line, stretches 25 km from Byappanahalli to Chikkabanavara. The trees identified for removal are located around Chikkabanavara, Mydrahalli, Shettyhalli, and Yeshwantpur railway stations. BBMP is yet to release details about the species and size of the trees.
According to officials, the move aims to improve pedestrian infrastructure at these stations, which are expected to see heavy foot traffic once the suburban rail network becomes operational.
A BBMP source said there is significant pressure from the Centre to fast-track the much-delayed project amid worsening mobility issues in Bengaluru. However, challenges remain: of the 91.5 acres needed for Corridor-2, around 28 acres are privately owned.
The proposal follows closely on the heels of citywide protests against the planned felling of 368 trees in Cantonment Railway Colony, raising concerns that environmentalists may once again oppose large-scale tree removal.