The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced a significant redesign of its Phase-4 construction plans, aiming to save 69 trees along the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg Corridor. This development comes amid ongoing efforts to balance infrastructure expansion with environmental conservation.
Updated Plans and Tree Management Efforts
According to DMRC officials, the updated plans were implemented after receiving permission to fell a total of 15,508 trees across Delhi for the Phase-4 project. So far, 5,003 trees have been cut, while over 7,000 have been successfully transplanted. Approval is still pending for the removal of 71 additional trees on the Majlis Park–Maujpur Corridor.
The DMRC has pledged to plant ten trees for every tree removed or transplanted as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. The agency also makes considerable efforts to avoid areas with significant tree cover during planning phases.
Despite these efforts, delays in obtaining tree felling permissions have impacted the timeline for the three priority corridors of Phase-4. Construction, which began in December 2019, has faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phase-4 of the Delhi Metro project spans 65.2 kilometers and includes three key corridors:
- Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg (28.92 km), extending the Magenta Line.
- Majlis Park-Maujpur (12.55 km), extending the Pink Line.
- Aerocity-Tughlakabad (23.62 km), connecting the Violet Line and Airport Line.
Historically, the DMRC has undertaken substantial tree management during its expansion projects. In Phase 1 (1998-2005), the corporation cut 13,858 trees and transplanted 3,584. Phase 2 (2005-2011) saw the removal of 17,997 trees and transplantation of 3,052. Phase 3 (2011-2020) involved cutting 11,872 trees and transplanting 506.
As the DMRC continues to develop Delhi’s metro network, balancing growth with ecological responsibility remains a central focus.