De-choking of trees along inner roads to begin in Sept

In response to the tree campaign run by ‘The Hitavada’, the civic authorities have claimed to have de-choked over 24,000 trees mostly on the roads with the width of 9 and 12 metres. It had promised to take up the same work on the inner roads too. Accordingly, it is planning to start the work from first week of September, the authorities have stated. No matter the claims, ‘The Hitavada’ has found that the situation has hardly altered, and countless trees remain choked till date even on several broad, arterial roads. There are reasons to suspect that the teams of ground workers have misinformed their superiors about the work (not at all) done.

There is also a ground to suspect that the supervisory officials, too, have not done much monitoring of the de-choking assignment. As a result, ‘The Hitavada’ has found, co9untless trees have not been attended to at all in despite official claims and promises. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had convened a meeting where information about de-choking of trees was submitted. Giving details about the de-choking of trees Abhijit Bangar, Municipal Commissioner said, “Earlier, we had decided to finish the work by May 23. But gradually we found that it had some problems and if neat work was to be done then we should go in gradual manner.

Our Zones had submitted the data according to which there were 24,600 trees out of which 16,312 trees were to be de-choked and the work was completed by May 23. Due to inadequate manpower we did not complete the work of de-choking of trees on the roads having breadth of 12 metres and 9 metres. But I personally pursued the matter and finally all the trees on the roads with the width 9 metres and 12 metres were dechoked by June 29. It covers a total of 391 km road. Now from August first week, we will start doing the work inside the colonies, societies as it will need more manpower. But I am appealing NGOs to come forward and help us.” Though NMC did its work in full momentum, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department (PWD) were a bit sluggish. Of course Bangar don’t blame anybody. He attributed credit to ‘The Hitavada’.

He said, “When we started working on dechoking, we got good response from the people who helped our people voluntarily and it is because of ‘Tree Campaign’ run by ‘The Hitavada’. It helped us also in the sense we are running short of manpower, so physical help from all corners was much needed. Some of my Executive Engineers too worked enthusiastically. We are aware of the delay by one month. But it is because I could not insist on them bureaucratically and we wanted quality too.” Bangar who is going to Moussorie for one month for a training made it clear, “With rainy season has begun, we have to look after water logging, dechoking of water for next two months. With first phase of trees-dechoking has gone very well, we will begin our second phase from September first week.