Tree crashes on new SUV on Bengaluru's Lavelle Road, no casualties

Bengaluru: A large, old, and hollowed out tree trunk crashed on a newly registered Honda Elevate SUV on Lavelle Road in the heart of the city on Thursday morning.

The incident unfolded opposite the Dakshin Honda car dealership and behind Bowring Institute. The fallen trunk directly struck the SUV, resulting in severe damage to its roof and windshield. No injuries were reported.

The Cubbon Park traffic police rushed to the spot to clear the debris and restore smooth traffic movement. “The tree, which protruded from the Bowring Institute compound wall, has been dry for several years. It is likely that it crashed due to the heat,” said an officer attached to the station.

HS Srikanth, honorary secretary of Bowring Institute, claimed that the tree was on the pavement and was thus, public property under the BBMP. “It must have been weakened due to an insect infestation and might have had shallow roots. It did not affect our compound when it fell.”

Minutes after the trunk crashed, traffic police issued an advisory to commuters urging them to take alternative routes.

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Arun Pai, founder of Bangalore Walks, observed that rampant concretisation and inadequate maintenance are factors putting trees at risk of falling over.

“It is not just about whether a tree is young or old. Many trees don’t have the capacity to withstand monsoon winds because their roots have been cut and they lack balance. Such trees can fall even if they are healthy,” he said.

He added that the forest department and the BBMP must undertake preventive trimming of trees that are likely to topple during the monsoons.

Environmentalist and tree expert AN Yellappa Reddy pointed at the negligence of the authorities. “If the tree showed signs of poor health and drying such as leaves withering due to heat, the institute’s management or the local residents should have informed the tree officer that it stands a risk of falling,” he said.

Planting native species, adopting scientific tree management methods, and conducting a tree census is of utmost importance to maintain the health of the city’s trees, Reddy noted.