Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation, while digging up the road in the Sabari Salai- Kaiveli Road stretch, removed more than 10 trees, planted and taken care of by Madipakkam Social Service (MSS) Trust, without any prior notice.
According to guidelines given by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), volunteers and NGOs can plant trees in the areas that are included within the Corporation limits and take care of the trees with their money.
It also states, the volunteers can plant the trees and protect them with fence which should be at least 1.20 meter tall and have 0.45 meter diameter. And the individual or organisation, can write their name on the fence.
Though the NGO adhered to the guidelines given, the Corporation officials have removed the well-grown plants and fence without informing the organisation, it is alleged.
Saravana Kumar, a resident of Mahalakshmi Nagar and an active member of MSS Trust, said, “We took so many efforts to plant these saplings and nurture them. Every single fence costs around Rs 1,000, and we raised funds for for the same from many shops and traders in and around Madipakkam. Now the GCC has removed these plants and fences, without even informing us.”
He added, “I tried to file a complaint, but the call went unattended.” Officials did not respond to calls made by News Today.