Trees in Metro Rail's path to be translocated

Hyderabad, June 26 (INN): The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMR), would translocate trees which are likely to come in the path of the proposed Metro Rail system in the city.

According to the Public Relations Officer, the HMR has taken the decision to translocate the trees which are in the road central median where the piers (pillars) of the Metro Rail are to come up. The HMR has already finalized agencies for translocation of the trees.

The identified trees will be numbered and forest department's permission will be obtained by HMR for translocating them mainly around the depots at Uppal and Miyapur, apart from other open places belonging to HMR and other government organizations.

The process of translocation involves digging a small pit to a depth of two to five feet around the tree to be translocated depending upon it's age and its branches and excess roots will be trimmed after applying organic fertilizers in the pits and fungicide/insecticide to the cut branches of the tree.

They are kept in that condition for about two weeks and pits are dug at the translocation point to a depth of six to thirteen feet and organic fertilizers, chemicals and rooting hormones are provided to increase the root growth.

After pits are made so ready, the trees are carefully transported to the translocation point, covering the root system with jute sacks and planted in the new location.

Sufficient manure and adequate watering are provided to the translocated tree and after translocation the tree will show setting of new leaves and roots within 20 to 30 days. The agency undertaking the translocation will have to look after the translocated trees for a couple of months.

HMR MD NVS Reddy has stated that five experienced agencies are empanelled by HMR through tender process. These agencies have been identified as APREDA; Green Morning Horticulture Services; Gladform Horticulture Consultancy; Hortus Consultants; and Ch Vijender Reddy.

These firms will be paid uniform rates of Rs 5,850; Rs 15,345 and Rs 25,500 per tree based on its girth. The HMR MD has stated that no big trees are getting affected and that HMR has planned to translocate about 1000 trees at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore.

In addition to translocation of affected trees, HMR is planning to develop green belt all along the periphery of depot lands, station locations, parking and circulation areas and other Metro Rail facilities.

A minimum of about 10,000 trees will be planted by HMR at these locations. Making use of the good height of the metro rail viaduct, picturesque greenery and flower beds will be developed under the metro rail viaduct.