Chennai:Planting of saplings in and around Anna Nagar is taken up by various residents associations in the locality. Interestingly there is a demand from a few to cut down an old and withered tree at Thendral Colony Road, Anna Nagar.
”Besides hindering traffic, this 20-year-old tree has now begun dropping its branches causing several accidents. Attempts by the residents to alert the Corporation to chop the tree has gone futile,” said, Kumar, a resident of Thendral Colony.
”We residents sent several letters to the Corporation officials regarding the issue. However they are reluctant to take any step. The tree which may fall at any moment is creating fear among the pedestrians and motorists. Whenever I take this road to go to my house, I won’t even look at the road properly, my eyes would only be on the tree”, he added.
“Besides occupying the road space meant for the pedestrians and vehicle-users, the dried branches fall on them causing serious injuries. Moreover residents now fear to park their vehicles near their houses. We are afraid that dry branches may fall on our vehicle, damaging it badly,” said Lawrence, a motorist.
He also mentioned that it is a narrow road and school children use the road in large numbers. ‘We don’t allow our children to play near the dangerous tree for it may be uprooted any moment. The authorities should initiate action and immediately chop the trees to avoid any more accidents.
One wonders why they are reluctant to remove a dead tree. Are they waiting for any serious accidents to happen? ask many.