Viman Nagar Residents Worry About Damage Caused To Trees By Concretising Footpaths
Residents of Viman Nagar are in distress as various trees in Konark Nagar, Clover Park, Balghare Road areas of Viman Nagar are getting damaged as, due to footpath construction, cement is just laid near the bottom of the trees without any barricading or circling near the trees.
Speaking to Pune Pulse, Raja Subramani, Resident of Viman Nagar, said “While making New Footpath, it is critical that the work is adequately supervised and by PMC engineer to prevent trees from choking with concrete. Despite complaining to PMC the corrections don’t take place as rework is not even considered. Citizens have to do ‘Karseva’ to allow the trees to survive. After the PMC as well, no corrections were seen. I created some cracks in the concrete layers for the tree to let them get some water during rains.”
As per information from the X handle of Raja Subramani, “Why do you engage unqualified contractors for a footpath job. Look how they have covered the trees with cement. There are 2 layers of cement here. Why do you have such cruel intent to kill trees. Your engineer also inspected this. However, he has not taken any corrective action.”
A Viman Nagar resident, requesting anonymity, said “There should be proper circling done around these trees where concretizing or construction work happens to ensure that no cement, concrete or any construction related equipment is laid near the trees. These uneducated contractors do not know how to do a civic or construction work. This concrete & cement laying at the bottom of these trees will definitely hamper the trees’ growth.”
Ravi Iyer, Resident of Viman Nagar, said “The footpath construction work is happening in some areas of Viman Nagar. Hence, proper barricading must be done around trees which are present at the site.”
Qaneez Sukhrani, Pune Citizen Activist, said “Improper planning from the authorities is responsible for such things to happen. If no proper safety facilities are there near the trees, how will the trees survive?”
Sunil Muley, Branch Engineer, PMC Building Department, said “We have informed the workers to clear any concrete or cement left at the bottom of trees. The footpath workers have also been instructed to leave a gap of 1.5 to 2 meters from the trees while working on the construction of footpaths. Hence, now no issue will come about tree damage.”
Sunil Tingre, MLA, Vadgaon Sheri, said “We will instruct the concerned department to carefully do the footpath construction work around trees.”
