KMC relocates Northern Park trees for pumping stn

Kolkata: A mass tree transplantation project was undertaken by Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) at Subash Uddyan (Northern Park) on Sunday to facilitate construction of a Rs 44-crore storm water drainage pumping station. The long-awaited project aims at alleviating waterlogging in parts of Bhowanipore.Eight out of 10 trees have been relocated. The process is expected to finish on Wednesday, when a giant burflower and a sandalwood tree are transplanted. Trees that have been relocated include mango, guava, burflower (kadamba), betel nut, wax apple (jamrul) and sandalwood. "Some of these trees are more than 50 years old and have now got new homes," said Sanjay Jaisingh, transplantation expert and tree lover. Several roads in the locality — Allenby Road, Justice Dwarkanath Road, Heysham Road, Lee Road, Elgin Road, Justice Chandra Madhab Road and Woodburn Road — are prone to waterlogging. During the Sept 23 deluge, some went under shoulder-deep water. Rudra Narayan Banerjee, a resident of Allenby Road, said: "Although the place has been treated as a posh locality, during monsoon every year, the area turns into a nightmare."Initially, the pumping station was to be located near the open-air gym in Subash Uddyan but the plan was later shifted to the adjacent Children's and Ladies' corner on Dr Rajendra Road. "I didn't want to change the landscape of the main park and it was later decided to shift the project to the adjacent children's park," said Ashim Basu, MMiC, West Bengal Urban Employment Scheme, and a local councillor.About 25 areca palm trees will also be moved across Bhowanipore, including a few on Southern Avenue. "I planted these trees in a beautification project a decade ago and don't want them to die," Basu added."The park was a beautiful place for seniors and kids. We will miss it this winter," said Mahesh Agarwal, a regular visitor. "We will rebuild the kids' area once construction is over," Basu added. The project may be complete within the next 11 months.