PANAJI
The Smart City initiative has once again come under scrutiny after the death of teenager Arati Gond from Uttar Pradesh, who succumbed to head injuries when she came under a falling tree near Gracia de Orta garden around Sunday noon.
While Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for her family, Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate raised concerns about whether the incident, along with two other recent tree falls near Panaji Church, could be linked to the ongoing Smart City activities.
Officials from the Forest Department and the Corporation of City of Panaji have begun inspecting dangerous trees in Panaji, particularly where Smart City projects have been implemented. Panaji has witnessed 41 tree falls this month alone up to July 21.
“I am deeply sorry for what happened yesterday,” Monserrate expressed grief at Gond's death as he interacted with reporters at the assembly complex on Monday.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the girl's family. I have instructed the CCP Commissioner to collaborate with forest officials to inspect trees at risk in Panaji, especially those affected by Smart City projects,” he added.
Earlier, CM Sawant stated that directions are already given to cut the dangerous trees. Sunday’s incident is the third tree collapse in the vicinity with earlier incidents fortunately not resulting in fatalities. In another recent incident, a large tree fell on a tourist taxi and scooter near Kamat Hotel injuring three occupants.
Gond was on her bike crossing the road when a huge tree fell on her. She sustained serious head and body injuries. The fire and police officials, who rushed to the site, shifted her to the Goa Medical College where she succumbed later in the evening.
Close to 900 tree felling incidents across Goa including in Altinho -- housing official residences of Chief Minister, ministers and bureaucrats -- have been reported this month.
