In a recent development, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has informed the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court that its Tree Committee has granted permission to fell four heritage trees obstructing the path of the proposed subway from Nagpur University to Manas Square. Additionally, the committee has approved the translocation of 67 trees, including two heritage trees, to other locations.
MahaMetro, responsible for the subway project, has been instructed to deposit ₹16.87 lakh as compensation for the trees to be removed.
During a hearing on a public interest litigation, a division bench comprising Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri recorded statements from NMC’s counsel and requested the amicus curiae to provide a response. Adv Gemini Kasat, representing NMC, informed the court that the chief project manager of MahaMetro, H L Kaware, had applied for permission to fell trees along the route from NCC office to Maheshwari Bhavan hall for the subway construction.
The Tree Committee conducted a thorough inspection and identified 71 trees within the construction zone, including 65 non-heritage trees and six heritage trees. A public hearing was conducted inviting objections regarding the tree felling permissions.
Following deliberations, the committee mandated MahaMetro to plant 1,534 trees across the city and ensure their protection for the next seven years. After considering objections, the Tree Committee approved the felling of only four heritage trees obstructing the subway construction zone and allowed the translocation of 67 trees along the service road adjacent to the subway route, NMC informed the court.