MARGAO
The early morning tragic incident at Navelim has again brought to the fore the oft repeated question on the trimming of branches of trees standing tall along the main Navelim-Cuncolim road.
After news of tragic accident spread far and wide, questions have been raised why the authorities did not move in before the onset of monsoons to trim the branches or cut down the dangerous tree standing along the roadside.
Pointing out that the cotton tree in question, whose branch came crashing down on the mother-daughter duo travelling on the Activa scooter, must be around 80-year old, local residents, including activist Pratima Coutinho wondered why the authorities did not take steps to trim the branches of the tree and other trees hanging dangerously on the roads. “I demand that the elected representatives as well as the authorities, including the PWD, Forest assume responsibility for the negligence resulting in the death of the lady rider,” Pratima demanded.
President of Green Goa Foundation Raison Almeida pointed out that he had made umpteen correspondences to the district Collector, South and other authorities, demanding the trimming of the branches of trees dotting along the Navelim-Cuncolim highway, but in vain. “Some of the trees have been precariously hanging on the main road, but the authorities including the PWD have been dragging their feet to trim the branches,” he said.
