Mysuru: Close on the heels of cutting down 10 trees on Aug. 25 for the ongoing flyover works on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, near Manipal Hospital (Kempegowda Circle) junction in city, seven more trees were cut on the either side of the Highway on Thursday.

The Forest Department had given its approval for cutting over 65 trees to build the ramp for the flyover at Manipal Hospital junction. Accordingly, the trees are being axed by Maharashtra-based D.B. Ghorpade and Associates, which has bagged the contract. The contractor itself has the task of clearing and transplanting the trees.

Horticulture Manager of Ghorpade Associates Amit told Star of Mysore that the trees marked from Manipal Hospital junction to JSS Pharmacy College, will be shortly shifted, as the roots of the trees are covered with gunny bags and being watered daily to maintain the moisture for the roots to sustain till they are transplanted. At least 30 trees will be transplanted after pruning them, at those alternative places marked by Mysuru City Corporation (MCC).

It may be mentioned that, a total of 347 trees belonging to 21 different species were marked for cutting, including 19 at Fountain Circle in Siddique Nagar, 256 trees at the park in Bannimantap and roadside, 52 trees in the middle of Hunsur Road and 20 trees in the middle of Nanjangud Road.