BENGALURU — The National Green Tribunal has halted the felling of trees for the proposed Hebbal Short Tunnel Project in Bengaluru, temporarily pausing clearance work tied to the infrastructure development, according to reporting by The Hindu — National.
The environmental judicial body intervened to stop further tree removal along the project corridor, pending a more comprehensive review of the environmental impact and necessary clearances required for the tunnel construction.
Tribunal Halts Project Clearances
The intervention impacts the timeline for the Hebbal Short Tunnel Project, an initiative designed to ease severe traffic congestion in the northern corridor of Bengaluru. Environmental concerns surrounding the scale of tree felling prompted the tribunal's order, ensuring that no further cutting of green cover takes place while the matter remains under formal scrutiny.
Infrastructure initiatives in Bengaluru have frequently faced heightened judicial examination regarding environmental regulations, compensatory afforestation, and the protection of urban vegetation. The tribunal's latest directive keeps on-ground work involving tree removal frozen.
Next Hearing Set for December
Legal and regulatory review will resume shortly before the green bench. The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing for December 15, according to The Hindu — National's reporting on the proceedings.
During the upcoming session, the tribunal is expected to examine statutory clearances, municipal project designs, and environmental assessments before determining whether tree felling or excavation works can proceed.
