TRDCL blames political parties, govt, NGOs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  It was not just the old age that propelled the fall of the giant old mango tree that stood on the footpath along the road opposite Museum police station the previous day. In fact, the fall of the tree was premature and most importantly, man-made, allege Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) authorities, who have the responsibility of the maintenance of the stretch of road that runs through the area and also the trees lined along it.   The tree trunk had cracked just a few foot above the ground before it fell down on Tuesday afternoon. A car was also damaged completely after the tree fell over it. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians on the road when it fell, averting casualties.  Anil Kumar Pandala, the vice-president of TRDCL, blamed the various political, government and non-governmental organisations for the fall of the tree.  ‘’The rampant chopping away of branches of the tree had weakened its trunk and resulted in its fall,’’ he said.  Various organisations put up their hoardings and flex boards as part of promotional activities, despite strict restrictions. The labourers hired by the organisations come at night and hoist the hoardings on trees and lamp poles along the road. They even chop away the branches which remain an obstacle in hoisting the hoardings.  The cuts of the falled tree were left open carelessly, through which rainwater entered inside the tree trunk. The process, when continued for years, had caused the pith of the trunk to decay, consequently draining out its strength, he said.  Pandala also said that the mango tree that fell on Tuesday was the first such incident in six years after TRDCL took over the maintenance of the Museum road and hinted that more trees along the stretch were treated in a similar fashion in the past, the consequence of which might be seen in the coming days.  Meanwhile, the Special Branch of Police also said that they had forwarded a report to the Public Works Department warning them of the possible hazard after they noticed the dangerous condition of the tree.   Special Branch Assistant Commissioner Vijayan told City Express that even though it did not come under their purview, they had filed the report since it was a matter concerning the safety of the people.