PONDA: Several age-old trees located by the roadsides and those leaning dangerously on houses in Ponda town and in villages across the taluka pose risk to life and property.
It is pertinent to note that in the past some road users were killed, while several others sustained injuries after trees crashed on them.
The locals claim that no action has been initiated to cut these dangerous trees as some landlords have even opposed cutting them, while some poor residents have complained that they cannot bear the cost to cut the trees leaning on their houses even after getting permission from the Collector.
The panchayat sources said the government is sanctioning only Rs 25,000 to cut dangerous trees. There are several dangerous trees leaning on houses and by the roads and it is not possible to cut all dangerous trees as the cost of cutting each tree ranges from a minimum Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
It may be recalled that in view of the power outages, the government recently undertook underground cabling work, but has failed to initiate any action to cut the age-old trees which are in precarious condition on the road and on the verge of collapse.
It may be recalled that in August 2022, 39-year-old Aditi Naik from Shiroda died after a huge banyan tree crashed on her, while her husband Venkatesh Naik (47), sustained serious injuries, while returning home after casting their votes for the panchayat election. Their bike too was crushed under a tree.
A year later, a youth was seriously injured when a tree uprooted and fell on his bike at Curti. Before the start of monsoon, a huge mango collapsed on a house at Adulshem Borim, causing a loss of Rs 10 lakh.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude had even urged landlords not to object to tree cutting after some houses were damaged recently as trees crashed on them at Priol.
