Kempegowda flyover project: 60 trees get new place, 218 to be translocated

Estimated cost Rs. 27.8 lakh; shifted trees show signs of new growth

Mysuru: A large-scale tree translocation drive has begun in Mysuru as part of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)’s ongoing flyover/grade-separator project at Kempegowda Circle (Manipal Hospital Junction) in city.

The Rs.63.67 crore project is being taken up at the junction of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway (NH-275) and the Outer Ring Road to ease chronic traffic congestion at one of the city’s busiest junctions.

The tree translocation work is being carried out by Pune-based D.P. Ghorpade and Associates. Initially, the NHAI and Forest Department had identified 350 trees for felling. After public suggestions and consultations with the Forest Department, they revised the plan.

Under the revised plan, 60 to 65 trees will be felled, while 278 trees will be translocated. Ten trees will be retained at their existing locations.

More than 60 trees have already been translocated during the initial 10-day phase of the operation and the remaining work is expected to be completed within a week.

Rs. 7,500 to Rs.10,000 per tree

A 15-member team is involved in the operation, using three 15-tonne cranes, three heavy-duty excavators and tractors at various stages. The machinery is used to excavate the soil, prepare the root ball, lift the trees and transport them to their new locations. The trees being translocated include Honge (Indian Beech), Kadu Mallige (wild jasmine), Bevu (neem) and several other native varieties.

Though officials have not disclosed the exact expenditure, the cost of translocating each tree is estimated at Rs.7,500 to Rs.10,000, taking the cost to Rs. 27.8 lakh. This includes labour, heavy machinery rental, chemical treatment and deployment of water tankers to water the relocated trees.

Survival rate remains a concern

The success of the operation, however, will ultimately depend on the number of transplanted trees that survive.

The contractors claim a survival rate of 70 to 80 per cent based on their previous tree-translocation work in Maharashtra. Environmental activists, however, remain sceptical of such claims.

They cite a survival rate of around 30 percent for large-scale tree translocation and point out that mature trees, particularly native species, may find it difficult to adapt after being uprooted and replanted at a different location.

At the same time, signs of new growth have already been noticed in some of the trees planted near the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway junction.

Root ball around each tree to protect roots

Speaking to Star of Mysore, NHAI Liaison Manager S. Suresh said considerable preparation was required before a tree could be lifted.

A root ball, generally measuring about 2×2 metres, is prepared around each tree, while the excavation pit measures between 2.2 and 2.4 metres, depending on the size of the tree.

The soil around the tree is thoroughly watered a day before extraction. This helps loosen the soil while retaining the root structure and minimising damage to the roots during lifting.

Once the tree is extracted, it is lifted using cranes and transported to the designated location. The root ball is then placed in the prepared pit and the tree is supported to help it establish itself at the new site.

Branches that have to be cut during the process are sealed with a protective coating to prevent bacterial or fungal infection and decay, particularly during the rainy season.

An anti-fungal chemical solution is also applied to the cut portions. According to Suresh, about 10 ml of the chemical solution is mixed with a bucket of water for the treatment.

Regular watering is another important part of the process. Water tankers are deployed daily to ensure that the relocated trees receive adequate moisture during the initial period.