A very dangerous stretch on NH66 at Karmalghat

Canacona: It is true the best friend of earth as well as of man are trees. They provide a range of both tangible and non-tangible benefits to society. But the existence of hundreds of skeletonized and weak rooted trees on NH66 between Polem and Margao have been for long a reason for the locals as well as commuting community here to miss a heartbeat. Uprooted trees as well as trees on the shoulder of NH66 road is one of the main reasons for increase in road accident in recent years. Complaints to this effect are not taken seriously by the authorities allege social activists. Loss of life or property as well as time has been a constant phenomenon on this stretch as these trees fall mainly during monsoon and other times of the year bringing misery along with them. The vigilant citizens of Canacona time and again have reported this menace to the respective authorities to get rid of these dead trees which stand tall dangerously on the road sides, apart from removal of some trees others have been left as they are, waiting to bring tragedy upon unfortunate ones. Enquiries by this correspondent revealed the NH66 officials based at Fatorda have written to the deputy collector of Quepem to authorise removal of these deadly trees but till now, they have had to wait patiently for the orders said a source at PWD highways. Vishant Prabhu a Loliem native who is always in the forefront in raising issues of public interest speaking to Herald said there are hundreds of dead trees both small and big, they have to be removed immediately to avoid tragedy and loss of human life. Diogo Da’ Silva a social activist while pointing out the danger posed due to these trees said that he, as the president of local traders has written letters to various authorities, but apart from cutting a few trees the majority are left to fall on their own. “With vehicles passing by every second these trees are potential killers, a fact which authorities have to realise before it’s too late” Da’Silva cautioned. When this correspondent brought the issue of these dangerous trees to the notice of local MLA Isidore Fernandes, he was quick to say that he had communicated with the deputy collector and is awaiting action taken report on his letter, ” “these trees are dangerous not only to locals but to each and every vehicle passing by, and as usual I will take these issue to its logical end” Fernandes asserted.