Civic group flags eco risks to Lalbagh from Tunnel Road
In a letter addressed to Shamla Iqbal, secretary of the Horticulture Department, C4C urged authorities to reject the plan to safeguard the ecological and geological sanctity of Lalbagh.
According to the letter, the project involves the construction of two tunnels, each 15 metres in diameter, along with two major entry ramps originating from Ashoka Pillar and Wilson Garden.
These tunnels are expected to pass beneath or close to the 3,000-million-year-old Lalbagh rock, declared a national geological monument by the Geological Survey of India in 1975.
The forum warned that the massive excavation work and construction activity would disrupt water tables, aquifers and the delicate ecology of Lalbagh lake. The group also expressed concerns about the potential damage to heritage trees and aquatic life due to vibrations and soil shifts during tunnelling.
Rajkumar Dugar, founder and convenor of C4C, said, 'The ramps for the project, over a km long on either side, will lead to tree cutting, root damage and disruption of underground aquifers. The project in its current form poses geological, hydrological, ecological and civic risks, not just for Lalbagh but for the city at large.'
The forum requested the Horticulture Department to obtain detailed technical reports from Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Metro Phase 3: Bengaluru Metro calls for public meet to address cutting of 11,000 trees
Bengaluru: As Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) prepares to begin Phase-3 of the Metro construction, the agency has called for public consultations starting Monday to address environmental concerns, particularly the fate of over 11,000 trees. According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), approximately 11,137 trees may be affected by the 44.6km-long project. However, BMRCL clarified that this figure includes both trees that could be cut and those that may be transplanted, depending on feasibility studies and technical assessments that are yet to be finalised. The public notice issued Sunday invited environmental experts, citizen groups, and stakeholders to share their suggestions and objections. The discussions will be held over three days, focusing separately on the two proposed corridors, and will be headed by BMRCL's general manager. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Alexander James, a city-based environmentalist, argued for realignment to reduce tree loss. "We are not going to allow these many trees to be butchered. The engineers can re-align the structure to avoid this destruction. A similar thing happened in Halasuru a few years ago, and we managed to save the trees there," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like High Blood Sugar? Do This Immediately! Live Happier Click Here Undo At the same time, some citizen groups acknowledged the need to expand public transport, despite environmental costs. Rajkumar Dugar, founder of Citizens For Citizens (C4C), said: "Even if a slight re-alignment is required to save trees, it is worth doing. However, the Metro project, even with some trees cut, is still far better than projects like the tunnel road, because public transport has clear environmental benefits. " Dugar also raised doubts about the numbers in the DPR. "If there are 11,000 trees along a 44-km path, that works out to around 250 trees per kilometre on average. I don't think there are that many trees within the proposed route. BMRCL should carry out a detailed survey and share the accurate numbers," he said. Phase-3 of Namma Metro is fully elevated and is planned to connect congested zones in the city's western areas to the existing network. Corridor I will link JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura over 32.1km, while Corridor II will run from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, covering 12.5km.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Indo-Israel training programme for farmers in Thally cancelled amid protest from CPI(M) and affiliate body
An Indo-Israel training programme for farmers, scheduled for Monday in Thally, has been cancelled. Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu secretary P. Shanmugam had waved the red flag over the programme, organised by the Horticulture Department, because of Israel's war in Gaza. Mr. Shanmugam said he had taken up the issue with the Chief Minister's Office. 'The event has now been cancelled.' When contacted, the project officer of the Indo-Israel Center of Excellence confirmed the development. However, he was not aware of the reason. Senior officials of the Horticulture Department were not reachable. Protest planned The CPI(M) district unit had planned a protest at the venue in Thally. The four-day programme, under the aegis of MASHAV — Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation — was to be held at the Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence for Cut Flowers. The party's intervention came by after writer Aadhavan Deetchanya, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, condemned the programme. Mr. Deetchanya told The Hindu, 'At a time when Israel's imperialist project decimated Gaza's soil and its children and the country was being isolated and condemned universally, Tamil Nadu's Horticulture Department organising the event amounted to sanitising Israel's crimes...' The Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association had also been at the forefront of the recent protests against Israel Film Festival that was to be organised by a film appreciation foundation. Transfer of technology The Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence have been established, under the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project, as part of cooperation through transfer of technology. In Thally, a Centre of Excellence was established for cut flowers in 2017.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Revenue minister inaugurates 'Saaral Vizha 2025' in Courtallam
Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran inaugurated the 'Saaral Vizha 2025' at Courtallam on Sunday. As part of the festival the minister also inaugurated a four-day flower exhibition, organised by the Horticulture Department at the Eco park in Courtallam. The annual Saaral festival held during the southwest monsoon season (saaral season), commenced on Sunday will continue until July 27 (Sunday) , featuring a wide range of competitions and cultural performances at Kalaivanar Auditorium in Courtallam. Speaking at the events Mr. Ramachandran said the current government is organising all the arrangements in a systematic and well coordinated manner. Whether it is conducting public events, carrying out welfare activities for the people, or ensuring that welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. The inaugural day of the festival featured a series of cultural performances by school students and other artists. Bharathanatyam, folk arts, Nagaswaram was performed, as part of the celebration. On the inaugural day, the minister also awarded cash prizes to the winners of the chubby kids competition. The second day of the festival is set to feature yoga competitions, multicultural students programmes in the Kalaivanar Auditorium. In the evening, events including folk drama, silambam, villisai, and other shows are scheduled. Tenkasi District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore, Tenkasi Superintendent of Police S. Aravind and other officials were present.
