New Delhi: The Centre Empowered Committee (CEC), operating under the supervision of the Supreme Court, has granted final approval for the removal of 1,279 trees obstructing the ambitious Bijwasan Rail Terminal project in Dwarka Sector 21, even though final judgments in both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court are still pending.
The clearance effectively removes the last major environmental obstacle to the project and allows the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) to move forward with external infrastructure works around the terminal, which is strategically located near Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Tree Felling Reduced, Mitigation Measures Approved
The RLDA had originally sought permission to cut 1,293 trees to build approach roads, footpaths, skywalks, metro linkages, rotary ramps, and other essential facilities connected to the terminal.
After deliberation, the CEC reduced the number to 1,279 trees and imposed mitigation measures:
- 496 trees will be transplanted within the Bijwasan site itself
- 783 trees will be compensated through plantations across Delhi
- Additional compensatory afforestation will be undertaken at a suitable site between Narela and Badli railway stations in outer Delhi
Activists Flag ‘Dwarka Forest’ Threat
The approval comes amid sustained opposition from environmental activists who argue that the site forms part of the Dwarka Forest — a 110–120 acre urban green zone that has naturally regenerated over decades.
According to environmental groups, the area supports:
- Over 65 species of birds
- Wildlife including Nilgai, wild rabbits, jungle cats, lizards, and migratory birds
- A dense ecosystem estimated to host over 25,000 trees
They contend that the forest qualifies as a “deemed forest” under the Supreme Court’s 1996 Godavarman judgment, which defines forest status based on vegetation density rather than legal classification.
Activists Speak Out
Leading activist Naveen Solanki, who has been campaigning against the project since 2022, criticised the approval.
“The message is that destroying nature has become easy when profit-driven projects are involved,” Solanki told NDTV.
“At a time when the Aravalis are under threat, rural tree cover is at its lowest, and Delhi’s AQI resembles a gas chamber, this decision is deeply shocking.”
He warned that while 1,200 mature trees along the railway line have already been cut, the larger danger lies ahead.
“The real threat is to the remaining 25,000 trees and wildlife of Dwarka Forest, which could be wiped out unless plans are altered,” he added.
Environmental ‘Violence’, Say Experts
Environmental activist Tannuja Chauhan described the forest as a vital urban lung for Delhi.
“This ecosystem absorbs airport emissions, buffers pollution, recharges groundwater, and mitigates extreme heat in a city that often touches 45–50°C,” she said.
She expressed anguish that tree felling occurred even while the matter remained sub judice.
“With AQI levels crossing 800, how are permissions for cutting old-growth trees still being granted? If even a forest next to a high-security zone in the national capital cannot be protected, what hope remains for ecosystems elsewhere in India?” Chauhan asked.
Why the Bijwasan Rail Terminal Matters
The Bijwasan Rail Terminal is designed to decongest New Delhi Railway Station and act as a major gateway for trains bound for Western India, including Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Key Features
- 11 tracks and 7–8 platforms
- Airport-themed main terminal building
- First-floor waiting lounge with runway views
- Green building measures including:
- Sewage treatment and water reuse
- Rainwater harvesting
- Solar power generation
The terminal promises seamless multi-modal connectivity, being close to:
- Airport Express Metro Line (Dwarka Sector 21)
- Dwarka ISBT
- Major road corridors linking Gurugram, UER, and Dwarka Expressway
Timeline of the Bijwasan–Dwarka Forest Dispute
- 2008: Land transferred from DDA to Ministry of Railways on perpetual lease
- 2021–22: RLDA launches plan to merge Bijwasan and Shahabad Mohammadpur stations
- 2022: Forest Department fines RLDA ₹5.93 crore for illegal felling/burial of ~990 trees under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act
- 2023–24: “Save Dwarka Forest” campaign gathers momentum
- Feb 2024: NGT rules area is neither protected nor deemed forest
- Sept 2024: Supreme Court imposes interim stay citing possible deemed forest status
- Oct 2024: Stay extended
- Jan 2026: CEC clears removal of 1,279 trees for external works