The Karnataka High Court today directed Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation not to cut any trees in Lal Bagh area without permission of the Tree Authority, in connection with a PIL seeking directions to change the alignment of Metro Rail, as it would pass through Lalbagh.

The direction in this regard was given a division bench, comprising Justices N K Patil V Jagannathan, bench (vacation bench). Advocate General Uday Holla who appeared on behalf the state government and BMRCL submitted that they had sought the permission of the Tree Authority to cut the trees and would continue the project after permission was given.

The petitioners, an environment support group Hasiru Usiru and others contended the ordinance promulgated by the Governor on November 22, 2008 to earmark a portion of Lalbagh for metro and Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park, in Cubbon Park limits to widen the road had lapsed as the government failed to get assent to a bill to replace the ordinance.

Even as the ordinance lapsed, the government issued an order to Horticulture department to earmark 1135 square metres of Lalbagh area for the Metro rail project, they contended. The bench, after hearing both parties, adjourned further hearing to next week.