Mysuru: More than 250 mature trees are being translocated by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is developing Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway and Outer Ring Road junction near Manipal Hospital, building a grade separator for the free flow of vehicular traffic.The project, though expected to ease traffic congestion at the busy junction, encountered a fresh challenge after a citizens’ group raised an objection to the axing of nearly 350 trees to facilitate the work.An official of NHAI told TOI that 278 trees under the project will be translocated. The process is under way, he said. The translocation work is being executed by an agency which has hired an expert company.These trees will be relocated to specific locations identified by the forest department. Some of the places are nearby, the official said, adding the project work is expected to be complete before May 2027.As part of the project, roadside trees affected by the construction have been assessed and a revised mitigation plan has been implemented. After a public hearing and consultation, authorities reduced the number of trees to be axed without being translocated. A few trees are likely to be transplanted along the stretch.Meanwhile, the Srirangapatna-Kushalnagar highway project, which is going at a snail’s pace, is expected to be completed before March 2028. An officer said about 20% of project work is over so far.
