Supreme Court halts tree felling for Joka-Esplanade metro project till next hearing

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that no trees be felled or transplanted for the metro rail project near the iconic Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan issued notices to the West Bengal government, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), and others, seeking their responses to a plea challenging a June 20 Calcutta High Court ruling.

The High Court had dismissed a petition to halt metro construction in the maidan area, where several trees were reportedly being felled or transplanted. The Supreme Court, however, has ordered that no new trees be cut until the next hearing in three weeks.

"You can continue with the work but don't fell trees from today," the bench told RVNL's counsel.

The petitioners, 'People United For Better Living in Kolkata (PUBLIC)', emphasized the ecological importance of the maidan area and expressed concern over the impact of the metro route passing through it.

The plea filed in the high court had prayed for an order to stop the construction of the Joka-Esplanade metro project in the maidan area adjoining the Victoria Memorial.

The Joka-Esplanade metro project is partially operational between Joka and Majerhat stations in the south-western suburbs of Kolkata. Completion of the project will provide an important and time-saving connectivity option to people from these places to the heart of the city.