Chennai: For years, a few residents fought a battle with the authorities concerned to remove a tree leaning over on 11th Street, A Block, Anna Nagar East.
Recalling how a 20-year-old tree was planted by them, they said cutting an old tree was not an act that many people relish to perform. However, there are circumstances in which it becomes necessary to do so. Here the tree is lying and presenting the danger of falling itself. They feel that there is no option other than removing the old tree which is posing a threat.
“During rainy season, we usually have nightmarish experience for the tree is posing a threat to us. We use to keep watching the tree every time.”
Bala, a resident of this street said that the residents are also living in danger of falling tree. Fortunately, no incident was reported so far.
Usually the civic body gears up to tackle tree falls during monsoon. It may be recalled that two teams were formed by the civic body for cutting trees during rainy season. But nothing worked out well here. It should be removed immediately. I fear that the huge tree in front of this house would get uprooted anytime soon. A letter was also sent to the civic body some two years ago but there came responses like man power shortage etc. Despite repeated representations, the officials concerned turned a deaf ear to this problem, he bemoaned.
Another resident said, “If we plan to cut the tree then it should be done in a proper way because a lot of accidents take place because of unplanned and inappropriate cutting down of trees. Further we have to get the permission from the authorities concerned.”
Recently, the officials chopped few branches of the leaning trees for safety measures. But residents in the locality want to cut down all trees that are in a dangerous condition and pose hindrance to free movement of vehicles. Hope the authorities look into it before any untoward incident happens.