To create space for one of Hanoi's upcoming metro stations, 41 trees will soon be cut down, while another 116 will be relocated to a nearby park.
In total, 157 trees will be uprooted along Cat Linh Street and Tran Hung Dao Street in order to begin construction on the final underground station for Line 3 of the delayed metro project, VnExpress reports.
According to the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board, many of the trees will be relocated to nearby Thong Nhat Park, including 12 rare, large sưa trees (Dalbergia tonkinensis).
It's not the first time some of the capital's trees have been cut down as a consequence of the upcoming metro system. Last September, 130 trees along Kim Ma Street were removed, while 106 trees close to Voi Phuc Temple, some of which were ancient mahogany specimens, were also removed.
In 2015, the city also announced controversial plans to fell 6,700 trees city-wide, but eventually halted the undertaking after removing only 500.
Hundreds of trees in Saigon have faced a similar fate, including some that were recently removed on Ton Duc Thang Street.
Hanoi's under-construction metro line has faced repeated delays, accidentsand cost blowouts since work began. It is currently estimated, however, that the Cat Linh to Ha Dong section will be completed and ready for test runs in the third quarter of 2018.
[Photo via baoxaydung]
