NGT stops felling of trees for short tunnel project in Bengaluru
A short tunnel project at Hebbal in Bengaluru. A public notice issued by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is regarding the ‘removal’ of trees along the Hebbal highway for the 2.3 km twin tunnel project. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday issued an order restraining the felling of trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project till the hearing is completed and the matter is disposed of.
The NGT order said, “There should be no felling of trees in any area of the Hebbal Short Tunnel project until the matter is disposed of.
The tribunal scheduled the next hearing for December 15. This also means that the BDA cannot cut any trees along the Hebbal Short Tunnel route till mid-December.
The order followed a petition filed by a civic group after the NGT took suo motu cognizance of a Hindu report on Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) proposal to remove trees for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project. The September 24 report was titled “Over 70 species of trees out of 1,128 marked for felling for Hebbal tunnel project in Bengaluru”.
In a suo motu case, the Karnataka government has submitted a statement that writ petitions are pending in the High Court in the matter, where the Advocate General has given an undertaking that no trees will be cut until the matter is disposed of. Subsequently, NGT disposed of the original case suo motu.
However, Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane, Sangha, Mangaluru, noticed the discrepancy and filed another injunction application. The group brought to the notice of the NGT that the undertaking given by the Advocate General in the Karnataka High Court, as stated during the suo motu hearing, was for a different area – Lalbagh – even though it was for the same project.
“This original application generally covers the entire project and felling of trees for the same,” the NGT order said. The government counsel also clarified that the undertaking was in a different area.
Subsequently, the NGT passed the order on Friday.
Meanwhile, BDA chairman NA Haris told The Hindu that the BDA does not intend to cut down all the 1,128 trees but instead plans to relocate 1,072 trees and cut the remaining ones. However, a public order issued by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) refers to the “removal” of trees along the Hebbal highway for the 2.3 km twin tunnel project.
On the other hand, civic groups opposing the short tunnel project argue that the BDA cannot announce such a decision as only a committee of tree experts can take it.
Published – 17 Oct 2026 21:55 IST