Greens urge NHAI to change designs of two flyovers for saving trees between Nanthoor and KPT junctions

Green activists and other city residents at a public hearing here on Monday urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to consider changing the designs of two flyovers proposed

Green activists and other city residents at a public hearing here on Monday urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to consider changing the designs of two flyovers proposed to be built at the busy KPT and Nanthoor junctions in the city. It is to save cutting of over 200 trees for constructing service roads on the 1.6 km long stretch between the two junctions on NH 66.

The NHAI officials present at the hearing, held in the office of Deputy Commissioner, said changes proposed by the activists will be considered if it comes within the project cost.

The Forest Department conducted the hearing for the proposal to cut 232 trees for the two projects.

An activist Kishore Attavar said that the activists are not against the projects.

“We cannot quantify benefits from the trees proposed to be cut. Please consider alternative proposals that can save the trees,” he said.

Assistant Conservator of Forest and Tree Officer P. Sridhar said of the 602 trees in the stretch, 370 trees will be transplanted (re-located). As many as 232 trees are proposed for felling.

“Of the 232 trees, 94 trees are with the girth between 30 and 60 cm, which can be transplanted. Only remaining 138 trees needs to be cut down,” he said.