<p>Bengaluru: Over 2,000 citizens have raised objections to the planned felling of nearly 33,000 trees for the construction of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) by the Rail Infrastructure Development Company-Karnataka (K-RIDE).</p>.<p>In a letter to the Forest Department, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and K-RIDE, NGOs Namma Bengaluru Foundation and Jhatkaa.org stated: "While the project is a significant step towards reducing dependence on private vehicles and enhancing sustainable mobility, the sheer number of trees proposed to be felled will have adverse consequences on the city."</p>.<p>The suburban rail can be started in the existing railway network, if proper signal automation and doubling of tracks are done, the organisations said in a press release.</p>.<p>"The plan must incorporate a clear compensatory plantation strategy, including the species and locations where plantation will occur. At the moment, there is a lack of such a clear strategy for compensatory plantation, raising concerns about ecological equilibrium,” they said, adding that it is fundamental to ensure compliance with the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, 1976.</p>.<p>Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation said K-RIDE scheduled a public consultation meeting with the authorities on June 14, but did not fix a time.</p>.Rails vs roots: City must strike a balance.<p>"The project is a significant step towards reducing dependence on private vehicles and enhancing sustainable mobility and efficient commute alternatives,” he said. “While I do not oppose the project, I am deeply concerned about its ecological cost and believe that it must be minimised."</p>.<p>Chiku Agarwal, Senior Engagement and Operations Associate at Jhatkaa.org, said it is time to make wise, ecological decisions.</p>.<p>The 148.17-km BSRP comprises 58 stations across the city with several multi-modal transport hubs. It is to be completed by 2028.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Over 2,000 citizens have raised objections to the planned felling of nearly 33,000 trees for the construction of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) by the Rail Infrastructure Development Company-Karnataka (K-RIDE).</p>.<p>In a letter to the Forest Department, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and K-RIDE, NGOs Namma Bengaluru Foundation and Jhatkaa.org stated: "While the project is a significant step towards reducing dependence on private vehicles and enhancing sustainable mobility, the sheer number of trees proposed to be felled will have adverse consequences on the city."</p>.<p>The suburban rail can be started in the existing railway network, if proper signal automation and doubling of tracks are done, the organisations said in a press release.</p>.<p>"The plan must incorporate a clear compensatory plantation strategy, including the species and locations where plantation will occur. At the moment, there is a lack of such a clear strategy for compensatory plantation, raising concerns about ecological equilibrium,” they said, adding that it is fundamental to ensure compliance with the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act, 1976.</p>.<p>Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation said K-RIDE scheduled a public consultation meeting with the authorities on June 14, but did not fix a time.</p>.Rails vs roots: City must strike a balance.<p>"The project is a significant step towards reducing dependence on private vehicles and enhancing sustainable mobility and efficient commute alternatives,” he said. “While I do not oppose the project, I am deeply concerned about its ecological cost and believe that it must be minimised."</p>.<p>Chiku Agarwal, Senior Engagement and Operations Associate at Jhatkaa.org, said it is time to make wise, ecological decisions.</p>.<p>The 148.17-km BSRP comprises 58 stations across the city with several multi-modal transport hubs. It is to be completed by 2028.</p>