Pune: 57 trees to be hacked to make way for Metro work in Pimpri
Pune / Pimpri: The Pimpri to Nigdi extended Metro route work is underway. To clear the way for the work, 57 trees will be hacked. But this has invited the ire of environmentalists.
The extended route will be 4.41 km long. The 15-year-old trees are being cut as they are putting hurdle in the work. The Rail Vikas Nigam is building the ‘viaduct’ route.
A pillar is being raised near the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe PMPML Bus Depot, where some trees are being chopped. Nine trees have been chopped along the footpath near the Shri Krishna temple under the circular flyover in Nigdi. Tree lovers have opposed tree-cutting along the footpath from Nigdi to Pimpri. A complaint has been lodged with the civic body.
Species of the trees facing the axe
As many as 18 tabebuia, nine each of peltophorum and fistel map, two each of neem, banyan and ashoka, five pipal, four umbar and one each of ficus, rain tree, spathodea, jamum and jackfruit will be felled, out of which 50 belong to the civic body while the Shri Krishna Mandir Trust owns seven.
The trees causing hurdles for the Metro route are being removed. The civic body has given permission for cutting the trees. As many as 10 trees will be planted for each felled tree. Some trees, which can survive, will be transplanted, said Hemant Sonawane, Director, MahaMetro.
MahaMetro has given a written application to the civic body seeking permission to cut the trees. Hence, permission was granted. Some trees will be transplanted while 10 trees will be planted for each hacked tree on the premises of the STP in Kasarwadi. They will take care of these trees for three years, said Garden Department Deputy Municipal Commissioner Ravikiran Ghodke.
