DPR civic survey questions tree reckoned with proposed elevated corridor in Indiranagar

Residents of Indiranagar participate in an independent tree survey in Bengaluru on Sunday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Concerned about the potential impact of the proposed elevated corridor connecting Old Madras Road and Silk Board, residents of Indiranagar in East Bengaluru on Sunday conducted an independent tree survey along the route of the corridor to document the existing greenery.

Contrary to the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which states that roughly 235 trees fall within the construction width of the corridor, of which 89 trees fall within the proposed route and are earmarked for felling and 70 trees are to be trimmed, residents have identified over 800 trees along the proposed route of the flyover.

Civic group I Change Indiranagar (ICI), which launched the initiative, said in a statement that the trees were documented through more than 1,500 images. Documented species include bigleaf mahogany, gulmohur, rain tree, Indian almond and Indian cork tree. The group claimed that almost 90% of the trees recorded appeared to be in a healthy state.

In addition to the trees, the participants also documented bird species, including the white-cheeked barbet, Asian collier, red bulbul, rose budgerigar, oriental magpie, and wood crow.

ICI’s Sneha Nandihal told The Hindu that they will meet the board of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

The proposed corridor, planned by B-SMILE, will pass through 80 Feet Road, CMH Road and Indiranagar 100 Feet Road. It is among the 13 elevated corridors to be introduced by B-SMILE and approved by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who has emphasized on many occasions that the corridors would ease congestion in the city.

Citizen-led survey

More than 100 residents gathered at CMH Park on Sunday and split into 10 teams to survey the entire stretch of the proposed alignment.

The survey was conducted using Nature Ark’s Urban Tree Map app, a platform designed to document urban tree cover and support citizen science initiatives. The Nature’s Ark is a non-profit trust dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and the management of urban trees.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 22:44 IST