Pimpri Chinchwad on alert for pre-monsoon storms: Residents cautioned against falling trees and unstable billboards

By Khushi Maheshwari

During what has been called the pre monsoon period strong winds become a catalyst for massive trees being uprooted and collapsing on the ground. Uprooted trees are a hazard to life and property. Therefore, keeping this in view, residents of Pimpri Chinchwad have been warned against parking vehicles under shades of trees and loitering under them during storm like conditions to avoid any foreseeable accidents. 

However, uprooted trees aren’t the only safety hazard during storms. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation had a meeting to come up with ways to grapple with storm and wind related incidents during monsoon. 

One of the major hazards are unsteady billboards that get blown off with heavy gusts of wind. Last year in a tragic accident, 5 lives were lost after an illegal billboard fell down in Kiwale. The incident also led to multiple injuries. Billboard owners have been issued a warning which stated that they shall be responsible if their billboards collapse. 

The PCMC has emphasized on the need for sturdy advertising board layouts and structures, while urging billboard owners to knock down feeble structures. Any accidents that might happen due to billboards sagging down will be the accountability of the billboard owner. The likelihood of wind and storm related occurrences rises as the monsoon approaches. PCMC called a meeting to discuss this and plan preventive measures. In attendance of the meeting were representatives from multiple departments including Deputy commissioner Sandeep Khot and Joint commissioner Chandrakant Indalkar. 

The Deputy commissioner of PCMC’s Sky Signs Department, Sandeep Khot, emphasized that boards must have a structural stability certificate. The accountable structural engineer shall be held responsible for any and all structural collapse that results in injury or financial damage. Stricter protocols are being formulated under the guidance of Commissioner Shekhar Singh. 

In case of tree related emergencies, residents are advised to contact the ward office supervisors of the Garden Department, Tree Authority Department of PCMC and if needed the ward wise officers of the fire department. 

Here is the list of numbers: 

Rajesh Vasave, Assistant Garden Superintendent & Coordinating Officer: 9922501104

Sandip Gaikwad, A ward: 9657707512

Pradeep Gajarmal, B ward: 9922373462

Suhas Samse, C ward: 9922965966

Anil Gaikwad, D ward: 9623445731

Bhausaheb Sagare, E Ward: 8007019618

Bhanudas Tapkir, F ward: 9850834009

Suresh Ghode, C Ward: 952775106 

Arvind Kadam, H ward: 9850298231