JOIN US The residents of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike south zone face a harrowing time every time it rains heavily.
Tree branches and huge stems of uprooted trees have piled up on the streets of Jayanagar, JP Nagar, Basavanagudi, Wilson Garden and other parts of the south zone, following heavy rain and gusty winds on April 30.
Around 20 trees have uprooted on BTS Main Road, Wilson Garden. At many places, footpaths are covered with the tree branches and logs. Residents said that despite numerous complaints, the Palike had not taken any action to remove the trees.
Padma K, a resident of Basavangudi said that the heaps of tree branches lay on footpaths in her locality. “ It is very difficult to walk on the footpaths and we are forced to walk on streets now,” she said.
BBMP Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Sudarshan ND said that more than 300 trees had uprooted in the south zone, since April 30. Explaining the high number, Sudarshan said: “The zone houses many old localities. Years ago, the Forest department had planed fast-growing and ornamental trees on the road side. Now, due to rapid urbanisation and lack of space on the roads, the lateral root is struggling to support the trees to the soil.”
He added that due to intermittent rains and the risk of skidding, there was delay removing the fallen trees. M Krishnappa, Jayanagar MLA, said that trees fallen on houses and footpaths were being removed on a priority basis. He, added that more than 100 trees had fallen in his locality and hence it takes time to clear them.
The uprooting trees have brought down electricity poles also affecting power supply. Bescom Superintendent Engineer, (South Circle,) Vishwanath said that around 257 poles had been damaged in the south zone.
“There are a huge number of old trees in south zone and they easily uproot due to strong winds. We have restored the power supply and there are a few minor works which will be completed at the earliest. This is the first time in the recent years that electricity poles in such large numbers have been damaged,” he said.
The BBMP forest cell said that the clearance drive will continue on Tuesday also.