Trees on Trimbak road left unattended

NASHIK: A major accident is just waiting to happen on the newly constructed Nashik-Trimbak Road. The soil around a number of trees on the stretch was dug up to make way for the four-lane road, however, the authorities failed to pay any attention to these trees after the work was completed leaving them vulnerable to strong gush of wind and rain.
The Rs 150-crore Nashik – Trimbakeshwar Road has been constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD).Once the work was over, the authorities should have come up with a plan to rehabilitate these trees, however, that didn’t happen.
“There are a number of trees on the stretch between Trimbakeshwar and Nashik which falls just outside the corporation area. The roots of these trees have been cut or exposed making them vulnerable to rain. Heavy rain along with a gush of strong wind can bring them down any time since no arrangements have been made to prevent their collapse on the road,” said Sanket Dhage, a resident of Belgaon Dhaga.
The soil around these trees has been dug by over a metre and a half to make space for the four-lane road. Though there is a retention wall just a feet away, the height of the wall is low and may fail to support a tree in case of fall. “The retention wall will save the soil from eroding, but will fail to support or protect any tree in case of eventuality,” said Rajesh Pagar of Trimbakeshwar town. After judiciary did not allow the PWD to fell trees, it should have taken appropriate measures to save them which did not happen, he added.
Most of the commuters on the road include people from Trimbakeshwar and surrounding villages who travel on their motorcycles or bicycles. “The month of June witnesses beginning of monsoon accompanied by strong wind. The commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, have been left exposed to accident which may occur once a tree fall son the road. The respective agencies should take immediate measures to prevent such eventualities,” Pagar added.
The PWD officials have said they would look into the issue. “We will ask the officials concerned to look into the issue and do the needful as soon as possible,” the official said.