RTI reveals Agra Metro cut trees on MG, Mall Road without permission; FIR filed

AGRA: An RTI by an environmentalist has revealed that the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) felled trees along MG Road and Mall Road dividers without approval from the Social Forestry Division. Divisional Director Rajesh Kumar confirmed, “No permission was granted to UPMRC for cutting/felling/transplantation of any tree on MG Road & Mall Road dividers for Metro work.” A case (No. 05/Agra City/2025–26) has been registered, but the exact number of trees cut was not disclosed. A TOI ground check suggests several hundred may have been removed. The revelation comes after the Supreme Court tightened restrictions on felling trees within 5 km of the Taj Mahal in the Taj Trapezium Zone. UPMRC’s Joint GM Panchanan Mishra claimed the trees were ornamental and planted after the Metro DPR was finalised, adding they had permission for all trees cut. RTI applicant Sharad Gupta alleged the felling violated SC orders and excluded these dividers from approved areas. The Agra Metro currently operates a 6-km section from the Taj Mahal to Mankameshwar, with two corridors planned to serve 26 lakh residents and over 60 lakh tourists annually.