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Delhi LG Exempts Kasturba Nagar Site From Tree Curbs Under Preservation Act

The decision overrides the one-hectare cap to let the tree officer review clearance requests for 856 trees on the 8.9-hectare GPRA site in South Delhi

Delhi LG VK Saxena. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO)
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Overview

  • LG VK Saxena invoked Section 29 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act to clear the way for CPWD to seek permission to fell or transplant 856 trees at Kasturba Nagar Phase II.
  • The exemption suspends the Act’s usual one-hectare review limit but does not itself authorize any removals; the designated tree officer must conduct due diligence and approve final felling or transplantation.
  • This is the fourth area exemption in recent weeks, following similar orders for the New Delhi Railway Station, Central Secretariat buildings and a northeast Delhi flyover.
  • The broader redevelopment plan covers seven GPRA colonies in South Delhi, with Kasturba Nagar set to include over 3,500 housing units, an anganwadi, shops, a coaching centre, a banquet hall and a 25-tower residential complex.
  • Delhi Congress decried the move as a blow to environmental justice and social equity, while the Delhi Urban Art Commission had twice rejected the project’s revised proposal over planning and land-use shortcomings.