NMMC appeals to societies to prune trees before rains

NAVI MUMBAI: In an effort to avoid accidents, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has appealed to the housing societies and other establishments to get the trees in their compounds checked and, if required, chopped off before the onset of monsoon.

A man died after a tree fell on him in Airoli during the last monsoon. This apart, nearly two dozen vehicles parked on the roads were damaged after trees fell on them. The city of Navi Mumbai lost a total of 512 trees between June and mid-September last year.

Manoj Mahale, tree officer of NMMC, said, “To reduce the chances of such accidents this year, our teams are checking the trees along the roads and public places that may fall during rains. The civic body has provided them with six ladder vans so that they can easily prune the tall trees. So far, they have covered a prominent part of the city.

“We, however, cannot check the trees inside the housing societies, private companies and other such establishments. Therefore, through public notices, we are requesting them to get their trees checked and, if need be, pruned or chopped off before the monsoon.

“There is a dedicated team at every ward office for this purpose. If anyone contacts the ward office of his area, that team will check the trees in his compound and will decide if a tree needs to be chopped off. We will issue the order to cut such trees accordingly.”

According to the Mahale, the tree that fell down and killed a man at Airoli last year, was on a divider of an arterial road.

“Our team had checked that tree before the monsoon and found it sturdy. Unfortunately, because of heavy rain and strong wind, that tree got uprooted and fell on that man. Therefore, we appeal to each and every resident to cooperate with us and ensure that there’s no loss of life and damage of property during the monsoon,” he said.

BACHCHAN KUMAR/ HT Navi housing societies told to check trees protruding on to the roads.