Tree-less at Suranjan Das road

When I came to Bangalore about six years back, driving through the Suranjan Das road, off HAL Airport Road, was not exactly a pleasure (probably only NICE road in the city can offer that), but it did offer some pleasant takeaways. The rows of trees on both sides of the road was a soothing sight, even while snailing though the traffic jams or negotiating a pothole.

Many of the trees looked quite ancient and imposing, providing ample shade even in April sunshine. Drives during rainy seasons though was sometimes dicey, as with most Bangalore roads, with the threat of trees with roots weakened by footpaths giving up on life. Moreover we had filled-to-brim potholes to contend with.

I was not a regular at this road and my forays used to be during those rare weekend visits to meet relatives and friends either at CV Raman Nagar or Banaswadi and beyond. During one of those visits, I was shocked to see some trees near the HAL market pulled down. The once imposing trees were reduced to mere stumps. As I moved a little further I saw JCBs and other earth movers at work.

Just couldn't figure out what it was all about. Have been reading in papers as to how residents in the city were vociferously protesting felling of trees for Metro construction, but here it seemed conspicuous by its absence. No signs of protests were visible. I guessed the trees were cut to widen roads, but left me wondering why dig such deep trenches using JCBs? Moreover, barricades of Namma Metro added to my confusion. However, I dismissed the thought of any metro coming here as I remember seeing these barricades at almost all infrastructure sites ranging from flyovers to drainages. Guess some corporation guy thought this would be a bright idea to create a hype over city's next-gen mode of transport.

Later on I read in papers that the a four-lane road was coming up to ease congestion for vehicles going to Bagmane Tech Park. When I happened to pass through Suranjan Das road a few weeks later it was sheer massacre. The line-up of trees on one side of the road had been almost wiped out and the remaining ones were being felled using motorised blades. Traffic was getting diverted through parallel roads and men were busy hauling up tree trunks to mini lorries. Huge trunks were lying strewn all over the road and it almost resembled a lumber yard. For the timber contractors I guess it must have been, quite literally, a windfall.

It made me wonder as to why transplanting these valuable trees was not thought of as an option. How old these trees were and how many years it would take to have such full grown trees, assuming that the authorities keep their promise of planting fresh trees. 

A Google search revealed that the road was named after a pioneer IAF test pilot and it was built way back in the 1940s to connect its Aero Engine division with the main factory on Airport Road. So I am assuming that these trees were planted in the 1940s or maybe even predate the road. One entry also said that "for over five decades, this road had remained calm and pollution-free, where people jogged in peace". Looks like a another era altogether!

On my last visit the stretch between HAL junction and BEML gate had huge pipes dotted on the sides. It seems the pipeline has to get over before the road is made into a four-lane one. The only saving grace is that the park opposite to HAL Public School and the adjoining teak park have not been touched yet.

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