The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that no trees may be cut down or relocated for the metro rail project in the Maidan area near the historic Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

The division bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan issued notices to the West Bengal government, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), and other relevant parties, requesting their responses to a petition challenging the Calcutta High Court's June 20 decision.

The high court had previously dismissed a plea demanding an immediate halt to construction in the Maidan area due to concerns over the removal and relocation of numerous trees.

"Till the next date, we direct that no new trees would be felled or transplanted," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.

"You can continue with the work but don't fell trees from today," the bench told the counsel appearing for the RVNL.