Bhopal Master Plan 2047: 791-Km Road Network To Put Nearly 2.9 Lakh Trees At Risk

Bhopal's Draft Master Plan 2047 proposes a substantial 791.42-kilometer road network, according to environmental and urban experts. The master plan includes roads of various widths, with the most prevalent being 18 m and 24 m, amounting to 111 and 103 road-width annotations respectively. However, discrepancies in proposed road markings, particularly overlaps that could result in broader corridors exceeding 24 meters, have raised concerns.

A benchmark from a recent NHAI road project, which involved cutting approximately 6,000 trees for a 16.44-kilometer, 10-lane road, underscores the potential environmental impact. This equates to around 365 trees per kilometer. Considering the projected 791.42-kilometer road network, environmental activists estimate that nearly 2.89 lakh trees could be impacted.

Nitish Saxena, an environmental activist, further elaborated, stating that at a compensation rate of Rs 1,450 per tree, the indicative compensation could amount to approximately Rs 42 crore. However, experts remind that this is not a definitive count, but rather a projection based on the provided benchmark. The actual number of trees to be cut will depend on the final road alignments, existing vegetation, land acquisition requirements, and the extent of widening needed. Bhopal's Master Plan 2047 raises questions about lake protection as the city continues to expand.