Bhubaneswar: Around 400 trees are likely to be cut in Biju Patnaik Park, popularly known as Forest Park in the capital city, for the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project.
As per sources, four pillars are proposed to be constructed inside the park area and the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has written to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to handover some areas of Biju Patnaik Park for the purpose.
When contacted, BDA Vice Chairman N Thirumala Naik said that BMRCL recently made a request for conducting soil testing in the area as part of the project work. However, the exact nature of operation sought to be carried out in the area is being ascertained, he said.
Notably, the BMRCL recently conducted soil testing of the area and sources said cutting of trees will begin after land acquisition approval of the BDA.
The soil testing is essential for assessing the ground conditions and ensuring the stability and safety of the metro’s infrastructure. This step will inform the design and construction of the metro line, which includes 20 elevated stations along its route. Once the required land is handed over by the BDA, trees are likely to be cut before start of construction work, said an official.
However, the move to cut so many trees for the project has raised concern among environmentalists and nature lovers. They are of the view that felling of trees will cause substantial and irreparable damage to the major green cover of the city.
Noted environmentalist Pradeep Tarai said that the park, which can be described as a major symbol of urban forest, must be preserved and maintained without causing any damage to its flora and fauna.
Stressing that the park is considered a cherished heaven for morning walkers, joggers, yoga enthusiasts, will lose a major portion of its verdant expanse if so many trees are felled for the Metro Project.
Tarai and other environmentalists warned that the loss of these mature trees will not only impact the city’s air quality but also disrupt the delicate ecological balance. The park, with its proximity to the busy airport road and the Capital Hospital, serves as a vital green buffer, mitigating noise pollution and providing a much-needed respite from urban chaos.
Noting that some of the trees in the park are over a hundred years old, they said cutting of these huge trees will damage the green cover of the city.
Tarai further said that spread over an area of over 23 acres, Biju Patnaik Park is often described as the ‘oxygen chamber’ of the state capital.
Tarai said the metro project is crucial for the city’s development but all efforts should be taken to strike a balance between progress and environmental preservation.
Urging the government to reconsider the proposal, he said the authorities must find some alternative and implement the project without causing substantial damage to the green cover. He said a formal memorandum will also be submitted to the government on the matter.
It may be noted that former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the proposed metro project at Trisulia on January 1 this year.
The Odisha government has roped in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the implementation of the project with a deadline of four years. Rs 6,255 crore will be invested for the project in the first phase.
