VASCO
The Public Works Department (works division), Cortalim, has written to the Deputy Collector Mormugao seeking approval to undertake cutting of dangerous trees on the NH-17A.
PWD maintained it was seeking the nod of the Deputy Collector under Disaster Management in case the private property landlords are not in a position to cut the trees standing dangerously with their roots exposed on account of the road widening work.
The PWD’s move comes after locals raised hue and cry over the trees after one such tree came crashing down on a moving car and crushed an elderly woman to death at Zoring-Sancoale. The locals have blamed the administration for massive hill-cutting and leaving the roots of trees exposed and weakened.
According to sources, a total of 68 trees have been identified among which 20 are found to be in danger of falling and proving detrimental for motorists on the busy highway.
After locals blamed PWD for ignoring the dangerous trees after the road widening work, the former wrote to the Deputy Collector with copies to the mamlatdar’s office, Chicalim, and Sancoale panchayat highlighting the urgent need to cut the 20 dangerous trees to prevent any further mishaps.
The department also urged the Deputy Collector to call all the private landlords and instruct them to cut the trees in their properties.
Finally, the PWD has informed the Deputy Collector that in the event of the incapability of the private landlords to cut the dangerous trees, it was willing to cut the threes and hand these over to them.
