Rows of tree stumps line Suranjan Das Road here, and occasionally branches of some felled trees stretch across the road, forcing the motorists to swerve around them. Chopped trunks of trees lying on the pavement were also found obstructing the free movement of pedestrians.
Over a hundred trees are being hacked off along the road that connects Old Madras Road and HAL Airport Road. This road widening project taken up by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has left several residents of the area unhappy, although few were willing to come forward and object to the felling of trees.
Most residents that The Hindu spoke to seemed unaware that the project is partially funded by the private sector. While HAL is providing land for widening the road, the BBMP and Bagmane Tech Park are sharing the cost of the project. The residents are convinced that protesting against the Government, to protect the trees, will make no difference. “What does it matter what I say? The trees will be cut down anyway,” says Hari Prasad, a watchman who works in the locality. Others feel that it to be a personal loss as they have grown accustomed to the ample green cover. “Bangalore is still known as the Garden City because of the few trees standing in such places,” laments Suresh M., who frequents the road.
“Really, the traffic situation on this road is not too bad. If some effective way of managing the traffic during the peak hours can be found, then the trees can be saved,” a resident, Veeranna I., says. “Chopping trees is a heavy price to pay for nature lovers like me, even if it means having bigger roads. I moved into this area only because it has so many trees,” adds his friend, Girish H.K.
Meanwhile, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah sought to assure the residents of the civic body's resolve to make efforts to plant five trees for every tree that is felled for the road widening project.
“The BBMP is environment-friendly and to bring faith among the people in its efforts, Vriksha Samrakshana Varsha (Tree Protection Year) will be taken up,” said the Commissioner, who inspected several areas of the city's East Zone on Sunday, in a statement.
Though the BBMP said that 63 trees were chopped on Suranjan Das Road on Saturday, several more were felled even on Sunday, taking the total to 100.
