Check status of old trees to curb accidents: JSR civic body to TSUISL

JAMSHEDPUR: The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has urged the Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited (TSUISL) to hold safety review of trees to prevent accidents involving uprooted trees or snapped branches during Norwesters.

Speaking to TOI, the deputy city commissioner of the JNAC, Krishna Kumar, said, “Steps are being taken to ensure that fallen trees or branches do not pose threat to lives or properties during strong gale and heavy showers associated with Norwesters that have started lashing the city. The management of the TSUISL has been urged to initiate measures for the safety of people as the trees within the city limits are planted and looked after by the company.”

A vendor of Golmuri area, Rajendra Singh (58), was killed when the tree, under which he had taken refuge during heavy showers, uprooted and fell on him on May 15 last year. Over two dozen cases of trees getting uprooted were reported from across the city, interrupting vehicular movement for hours. Motorcycles parked at the office of the senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Sakchi were damaged when a branch snapped and fell. Power and internet connections are disrupted due to trees and branches snapping wires.

The sister of deceased Rajendra Singh, Sukhwinder, said her brother was the only breadearner of the family. Had the authorities pruned the branches of the old tree before Norwesters, the accident could have been avoided, she stated.

The professor of botany department of a private university, Amulya Jana, said, “The main and arterial roads are lined with trees, especially the aged and those with damaged roots caused by underground cable laying or pipeline work. These are at risk of becoming uprooted during Norwesters.”

Deputy conservator of forests (Jamshedpur) Mamata Priyadarsi said, “The agencies trimming or relocating big trees need prior approval from the forest department. But, no permission has been sought.”