Pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms at few places might have brought relief from the sweltering heat but wind blowing at constant speed, especially surpassing the dead trees, dotted at few major stretches, may cause severe casualties, even leading to deaths. Unaware about the deadly consequences several commuters cross the death traps during the hushed hours daily.
Few major arteries in the city are constantly under the threat of frail tree that can fall anytime. Maximum dead trees are left either to decay or are hardly cut down, as authorities are least bothered about the consequences or might have been waiting for something absurd to happen.
Though these dangerous trees hanging over the road brews the sense of insecurity among the passersby and people in its immediate vicinity but irrespective a threat to their lives they are helpless as they cannot remove it. As doing away with dead trees would mean inviting wrath of Forest department officials and infringing the set norms.
The giant dead Semal tree standing on the opposite side of St Xavier’s College is an intimidation, as it one of the busiest streets and maximum educational institutions is established here. Apart, Camil Bulcke path, there are other few areas where fragile trees standing tall are common to find.
“The dead tress stands right opposite college main entrance gate and tress with weak roots will definitely fall one day. However, even after so many years none of the officials have been ordered to remove the trees, irrespective of the danger. Few stalls too lie beneath the dead trees and it is like death hanging above somebody especially when heavy wind blows,” informed, Niket Kumar, a student.
Several people have been crushed to death by such trees uprooted during gutsy wind in the recent past. It is the sole responsibility of the Forest department to allow removal of dead trees however in the absence of a complete list of trees that can shrink in gusty winds or excessive rain the department is dependent on applications for cutting trees put forth by the owner. Interestingly, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) as well as the road construction departments had to conduct a survey of such trees and seek permission from the forest department to remove the dead woods but no such initiatives have been considered yet putting several people life at stake.
“We were asked to conduct survey few years back but due to some unavoidable circumstances, we have failed to collect data. Nevertheless, RMC will initiate the survey soon, after receiving no objection certificate from forest department,” informed, RMC, PRO, Naresh Kumar Sinha.