Total dangerous trees in city likely to exceed 100
PANAJI
Fifteen trees around the Panaji Church Square were identified for trimming or cutting by the Forest Department and Corporation of the City of Panaji on Monday.
While the process of identifying more dangerous trees around the vicinity is underway, this followed the government’s direction a day after UP native Arati Gond died after a huge near Garcia de Orta Garden came crashing down on her amid incessant rainfall.
Speaking to 'The Goan', CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said that more trees are being identified. “Forest and CCP officials identified 15 trees around the Panaji Church Square within just two hours. More dangerous trees/branches will be identified for trimming or removal,” he said.
Monserrate expects that the number of dangerous trees could exceed 100 in the entire city with the initial focus on Church Square, Altinho and DB Road. He stated that while the joint identification process is underway, the CCP has held back individual requests from private property owners for tree cutting until the current project is completed.
“Our teams are already at work. As we identify dangerous trees, the trimming and cutting process is also taking place simultaneously,” he added.
The teenager’s death prompted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate to direct the swift identification of dangerous trees and their removal to ensure the safety of the people.
Miramar footbridge to be removed
The Miramar footbridge, built at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore in 2012 and recently declared dangerous, will soon be removed. City Mayor Rohit Monserrate confirmed that the removal process will be expedited with the tendering procedure to be initiated shortly.
The District Disaster Management Authority declared the structure dangerous and ordered its removal, following an inspection by the Collector on Monday morning.
“We will ask for quotations from bidders for the removal of the bridge. One of the conditions will be the company’s experience with such projects. Several factors need to be considered, including traffic diversion. Nevertheless, we will try to expedite the removal process,” he told 'The Goan'.
