BMRCL to axe fewer trees at Shoolay

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Members of the congregation of All Saints’ Church near Shoolay Circle have succeeded in preserving the Church which is over 150 years old. The underground stretch of Namma Metro’s Reach 6 (Gottigere to Nagawara line) is supposed to pass through the Shoolay Circle area.

The construction of the Vellara Junction station required land for which the BMRCL had decided to acquire land that is part of the Church premises. According to representatives from All Saints, BMRCL had initially planned to acquire 4,582 square metres of the sacred grove, around 100 heritage trees would have to be felled as per the plan. The Church’s area includes the sacred grove that is rich in biodiversity and a school for autistic children.

The congregation, along with activists from groups such as Environment Support group, Heritage Beku and INTACH, resisted the plan. They approached several officials and also the Chief Minister. Later, they reportedly complained to the European Investment Bank (EIB) about the damage the project will cause to the city’s heritage and ecology. EIB facilitated a discussion between BMRCL and the members of the congregation after which an alternative plan was drafted.

As a result of the dialogue between the two parties, the land that needed to be acquired came down from 4,582 to 166 square metres. BMRCL will also acquire 218 square metres temporarily. In the current plan, only seven trees will have to be axed.

Members of the congregation and of ESG noted that the dialogue helped them reach an agreement without having to take up a legal course, which is often prolonged and stressful.