463 trees of 34 species: Cost of Orange Line Metro realignment in Nagarabhavi

Residents protest the Orange Line Metro realignment in Nagarabhavi, risking 463 trees and significant environmental impact.

Despite the High Court dismissing the PIL seeking cancellation of the Orange Line Metro alignment passing through Nagarabhavi Circle, residents of the area held a silent demonstration on Saturday to save 652 trees reportedly set to be impacted by the project.

The re-aligned route of the Orange Line, between Kempapura in Hebbal and J.P. Nagar 4th Phase, passes through Nagarabhavi Circle, Vinayaka Layout, Papareddypalya and the Nagarabhavi BDA Complex and joins Sumanahalli Cross.

According to the original plan, the initial alignment passed along the Outer Ring Road, from Dwaraka Nagar station to Chowdeshwari Nagar station, which residents claimed would have resulted in at least 90% less environmental destruction.

In December 2025, a rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project was prepared by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli of the School of Climate Change and Sustainability, Azim Premji University, which evaluated the substantial environmental damage likely due to the realignment.

34 species of trees to be affected

According to the EIA, the metro line will pass through a 5.1-km stretch along Nagarabhavi Main Road, requiring the felling of 463 trees belonging to 34 species, while 189 others will be otherwise impacted by the project.