New Delhi: More than 800 trees are expected to be cut down or transplanted for the project of rebuilding the New Delhi train station, which is currently awaiting permission from the Department of Forest and Wildlife.
In the first week of September, Lieutenant Governor of Anil Baijal had directed an institution to accelerate all permits for the project, but forest officials said new submissions must be made because the total number of trees had miscalculated during the first submission.
Based on the new submission to be carried out next week, the Ministry of Forestry will assess whether the proposal will require permission under the preservation of Delhi trees, 1994 or a more stringent forest conservation law, 1980.
A senior Western division official said three patches will be affected.
Inspections conducted in the past showing trees have not been calculated correctly.
The Implementing Agency for the project, the authority of the Development of Land Rail (RLDA), was asked to submit a new proposal with the number of trees that would definitely be affected.
“Every forest patch is numbered and we ask them to improve the count and send it again.
However, it is estimated that 800-1,000 trees will be influenced.
After submission is made, new inspections will be made to determine whether the forest is considered or not,” the official said.
The Ministry of Forestry considered the “forest considered” area if it had more than 250 trees per hectare.
Furthermore, permission must be taken from the center below the forest conservation law to fall trees.
After inspection, the department will determine the number of trees to be transplanted.
“Every agency has been asked to speed up work and once we accept new quantities, we can examine these three forest spots and give permission necessary,” the official said.
In the meeting held in the first week of September, Baijal discussed the project with CEO of Niti Aayog Amitabh Kant, Secretary of the Head of Delhi Vijay Dev, DDA Deputy Chairperson of Anurag Jain and RLDA VC, along with senior officials from stakeholder organizations.
LG asks an agent to ensure permission is given on time so the project timeline can be obeyed.
At present, nine private companies have been selected and the request for proposals must be submitted in October.
The station is being rebuilt on a transit-oriented development policy.
This will be built on world-class standards, which consist of dominal-shaped terminal buildings with separate arrivals and departures.
There will be a 40-story twin tower with retail and office space, regardless of the pedestrian boulevard with an upscale shopping outlet.