The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has secured approval to fell or transplant 364 trees for the construction of the 9.9-kilometer RK Ashram-Indraprastha corridor, also known as the Central Vista corridor. Initially, DMRC had sought permission to remove 405 trees, but following approvals from the Delhi forest department and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), 41 trees were spared.
Details of Tree Removal and Transplantation
According to the forest department's order, "As per CEC order dated March 25, 41 trees have been saved from the affected trees, reducing the number of total trees affected to 364." Of these, 336 trees will be transplanted, while the remaining 28 dry trees will be felled. DMRC will plant 3,640 native saplings as compensatory plantation in a 1:10 ratio. The transplantation and compensatory plantation are proposed at the Aya Nagar-Jaunapur site.
Security Deposit and Conditions
After CEC granted permission, the forest department also gave its approval. The order dated May 27 stated: "Tree transplantation and compensatory plantation site proposed at Aya Nagar-Jaunapur was inspected by concerned field staff and was found suitable. The user agency has deposited a security amount of Rs 2.1 crore with the forest department for transplantation or felling of 364 trees. However, security deposit of Rs 1.8 crore will be refunded if the applicant carries out compensatory plantation of indigenous species and successfully maintains the plantation for seven years." If the success percentage of the plantation is less than 100%, the amount of security deposit proportionate to the failure percentage will be forfeited, and the forest department will raise compensatory plantation equal to the failed number of saplings. No interest will be paid on the refunded security deposit.
Tree Species and Corridor Details
Among the tree species to be transplanted are Ashok, Neem, Ficus, Peepal, Banyan, and Bougainvillea. The under-construction Indraprastha to RK Ashram Marg corridor will have nine stations, including four interchanges: RK Ashram Marg, Indraprastha, Shivaji Stadium, and Central Secretariat Metro stations. Central Secretariat will become a triple-interchange station.
Environmental Concerns
Tree activist Bhavreen Kandhari expressed concerns, noting that DMRC had received approval to transplant or fell 15,508 trees for Phase IV corridors. "DMRC itself stated that by August 2024, about 5,003 trees had been cut and over 7,000 transplanted. However, as the city continues to witness high levels of air pollution and spells of heat wave during the summer, forest department and CEC should conduct a feasibility study so that the minimum number of trees are impacted," she said.
Apart from the RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha corridor, two additional corridors are being constructed as part of Phase V(A) expansion: Aerocity to Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj.
