Gurugram is expanding mass transit network, the city’s planning authorities have received official clearance to fell 1,300 trees along the proposed Gurugram Metro corridor. The decision, granted by the Haryana Forest Department, paves the way for Phase 1 construction of the ₹5,452-crore elevated metro line between Millennium City Centre and Hero Honda Chowk—one of the most crucial links in the upcoming 28.5-kilometre metro route connecting HUDA City Centre to Cyber Hub via Old Gurugram.
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), which is facilitating the project, confirmed on Monday that the forest clearance had been issued. The move marks a major milestone in pre-construction activity for the metro, which is being executed by the Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL). While 1,300 trees are immediately set to be removed, GMDA officials stated that permission to fell an additional 500 trees between Hero Honda Chowk and Sector 9 is still under process.
Though the clearance has sparked concerns from environmental quarters, the authorities say the ecological loss will be more than offset by an ambitious replantation programme. GMRL has committed to planting 18,000 new trees on 17 hectares of land across emerging sectors of the city. These land parcels are currently being identified in coordination with GMDA and the forest department, ensuring that green restoration remains an integral part of the metro’s development blueprint.A senior GMDA official noted, “This clearance is crucial for us to meet construction timelines. However, we are committed to replanting three times the number of trees affected and ensuring those plantations are monitored for survival and health.”
The Gurugram Metro, which was formally launched in February last year, will have 27 elevated stations and is designed to improve last-mile urban mobility while easing congestion on city roads. It is also expected to serve as a key feeder system to the larger Delhi Metro network, boosting inter-city connectivity in the National Capital Region.According to project insiders, the technical evaluation of bids submitted by eight infrastructure firms is currently underway. Only after securing all environmental and regulatory permissions will the financial bidding process begin. This phased approach is intended to ensure that all construction proceeds with full legal and environmental compliance.
Urban infrastructure analysts argue that while tree felling for transit corridors remains controversial, the long-term sustainability benefits of metro rail far outweigh the short-term ecological compromises—provided that compensatory planting is rigorously implemented.“Metro systems are central to reducing vehicle dependency, improving air quality, and cutting carbon emissions. The key is ensuring the green cover removed is not just replaced but enhanced in quality and scale,” said a senior urban transport consultant.
As Gurugram positions itself as a forward-looking metropolitan hub, the city’s ability to execute green-integrated infrastructure will be closely watched. The metro corridor, if completed as planned, could serve as a national model for balancing development with ecological accountability—assuming, of course, that its promises of afforestation and sustainable urbanism are kept in practice, not just policy.
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