DMRC Redesigns Phase-4 Plan to Save Trees amid Construction

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has redesigned its Phase-4 construction plan to save 69 trees on the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg Corridor. While permission was received for cutting 15,508 trees across Delhi, delays in tree felling permissions have hampered the project timeline.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has revised its Phase-4 construction blueprint to save 69 trees on the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg Corridor, officials disclosed on Monday. The officials stated that permission was granted to fell a total of 15,508 trees across Delhi for this phase, with approval pending for 71 more trees on the Majlis Park–Maujpur Corridor.

The DMRC had initially sought permission to cut these 69 trees, but the new design bypasses them. As of now, 5,003 trees have been cut and over 7,000 transplanted. To mitigate the environmental impact, the DMRC plans to plant 10 trees for every tree cut or transplanted. Despite these efforts, delays in tree felling permissions have postponed work on all three priority corridors of Phase-4. The project kick-started in December 2019 but faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The construction work spans 65.2 km and involves 45 stations across three priority corridors: Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg (28.92 km), Majlis Park-Maujpur (12.55 km), and Aerocity-Tughlakabad (23.62 km). These are extensions of the existing Magenta, Pink, Violet, and Airport Lines. Historical data reveals that nearly 13,858 trees were cut, and 3,584 transplanted in Phase 1 (1998-2005), while Phase 2 (2005-2011) saw 17,997 trees cut and 3,052 transplanted. Phase 3 (2011-2020) involved cutting 11,872 trees and transplanting 506.

(With inputs from agencies.)