Metro Line 2 investor explains why more than 400 trees had to be cut down

The investor of Metro Line 2 said that moving and cutting down the trees was an unavoidable choice. After completion, the project will be renovated with green areas and replanted according to the design.

On April 25, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) reported to the Department of Transport and related units about the relocation package, Metro line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City">cutting down trees to build metro line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong).

According to MAUR, in the first phase, some trees must be cut down and relocated within the excavation area to make way for the new relocated technical infrastructure system.

Giving the reason for cutting down and chopping down trees instead of uprooting and nurturing them for replanting, MAUR said that in practice, uprooting and nurturing them for replanting has a low survival rate and high maintenance costs.

Metro Line 2 investor explains why more than 400 trees had to be cut down photo 1

Metro Line 2 Ben Thanh - Tham Luong passes through 6 areas including districts 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh and Tan Phu (Photo: Hai Long).

"In addition, large trees must be cut when being uprooted or relocated to remove most of their roots. Because the large roots are cut, the ability to regenerate the roots is impossible. Therefore, it is impossible to replant them on the street because the risk of them falling is very high," MAUR explained.

According to MAUR, moving and cutting down the trees is an unavoidable choice. However, this must be done to create a construction site for the project. After the project is completed, the project will be greened and trees will be replanted according to the design synchronized with the metro line 2 project.

Relocation/uprooting and felling of tree systems to serve the construction work of relocating and re-establishing underground and above-ground technical infrastructure systems such as water supply, drainage, electricity, telecommunications, etc.

MAUR also affirmed that the treatment of trees within the scope of influence of metro line 2 project was complied with and implemented in accordance with the procedures issued and guided by the Department of Construction.

The plan to handle the tree system is divided into 2 phases. Out of 453 trees, 49 will be relocated and 380 will be cut down.

Accordingly, in phase 1 (from April to July), the contractor will relocate 1 tree and cut down 24 trees to serve the relocation of technical infrastructure works.

In Phase 2 (from 2026), the contractor will relocate 48 trees and cut down 380 trees, when the stations of the metro line 2 project officially start construction.

Metro Line 2 currently has 90% of its cleared land ready for construction. Along with accelerating the site clearance progress, the investor and contractors are moving technical infrastructure (electricity, water, telecommunications, etc.) to start construction of the main packages in 2025.

Metro Line 2 project (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) passes through 6 districts: 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh, Tan Phu with a total investment of more than 47,000 billion VND. The project's land area to be recovered is more than 251,000m2, with 603 affected cases.

This line is more than 11km long, with 9 underground stations, 1 elevated station, and 1 depot. The underground section is 9.2km, the rest is elevated, transit, and depot approach (where trains are repaired and maintained).

Previously, metro line 2 was expected to be completed in 2026, but due to many problems, it was extended to 2030. This is the second urban railway line to be deployed in Ho Chi Minh City, after metro line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien - expected to operate from July this year.