DMRC's Green Initiative: Redesigning to Save Trees During Phase-4

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has revised its Phase-4 construction plans to save 69 trees along the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg Corridor. While permission was granted to cut 15,508 trees in Delhi for this phase, the construction plans were altered to incorporate green measures. Previous phases saw extensive tree cutting.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has redesigned plans for Phase-4 construction, preserving 69 trees on the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg Corridor, confirmed officials on Monday. Permission was granted for cutting 15,508 trees across Delhi for this project, with additional approval pending for 71 trees on the Majlis Park–Maujpur Corridor.

In a bid to reduce tree felling, DMRC altered its plans on the Janakpuri West to RK Ashram Marg route, saving 69 trees from an earlier proposed cut. From the 15,508 permitted trees, 5,003 have been cut and over 7,000 transplanted. DMRC commits to planting ten trees for each cut or transplanted tree to mitigate environmental impact. Yet, delays in tree cutting permissions have contributed to hold-ups across Phase-4's three priority corridors—operations started in December 2019 and were further stalled by COVID-19.

Phase-4 spans 65.2 km, covering 45 stations within three main corridors: Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg (28.92 km), Majlis Park-Maujpur (12.55 km), and Aerocity-Tughlakabad (23.62 km), now known as the 'Silver Line.' This project follows earlier phases where substantial tree felling was observed with compensatory transplantation efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)