Delhi News: The Ridge Management Board has postponed a request from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to reroute traffic through forested land for a period of two years in the vicinity of IGNOU in Maidangarhi. This request was made to enable the construction of the planned Neb Sarai station on the Silver Line. In the interim, the board has given approval to five development projects that involve either the cutting down or relocation of 93 trees.
Regarding the DMRC’s proposal, the board noted that the construction of a road through a forested area for a duration of two years would result in “irreparable damage” to the existing plant and animal life.
DMRC requested for ridge area
The DMRC notified the board that in order to commence construction of the metro station in the Tughlakabad-Delhi Aerocity corridor for Phase IV, it had redirected traffic originating from IGNOU towards MB Road using internal roads. They had undertaken repairs and implemented various necessary measures to facilitate this diversion. However, these internal roads have proven ineffective in handling the volume of traffic, resulting in prolonged traffic gridlocks for several hours each day. This situation has become problematic for motorists and is also impeding the progress of the station’s construction.
The corporation had requested approval for a temporary rerouting of traffic through forested regions, which encompassed 0.46 hectares within a protected forest and 0.16 hectares within the morphological ridge area. This diversion had the potential to harm approximately 55 trees.
The five approved projects in Delhi include:
- The construction of a new laboratory complex by the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) near JNU.
- The development of an administration block for IGNOU in Maidangarhi.
- The establishment of the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) in Maidangarhi.
- The construction of an office building for the Asian Development Bank.
- The creation of a 10.5-kilometer approach road from Chhatarpur to SAARC University.
It’s worth noting that the approach roads to SAARC University, CAPFIMS, and other projects in Maidangarhi, Sahurpur, and Satbari will traverse through portions of the southern and morphological ridge. The entire area falls within the eco-sensitive zone of the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trees projected to fell for these projects
For the SAARC project, it is anticipated that seven trees will be either cut down or transplanted. Regarding the construction of the IGNOU administration block, there is a proposal to remove 32 trees and transplant eight. Additionally, for the new laboratory complex by the Inter-University Accelerator Centre, 39 trees may need to be felled or transplanted, and the construction of a new office building by the Asian Development Bank is expected to affect seven trees.
It’s important to note that even though these projects have received clearance from the board, the ultimate decision on them will be made by the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court. Furthermore, the agencies involved will also need to obtain the necessary permissions under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, for the utilization of ridge areas.
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