The residents of Quepem demanded to cut down tree stumps which have remained after big trees were cut along the main Quepem-Margao road, behind the police station at Quepem.
The trees which were a danger to motorists were cut down by authorities after several demands made by the public from Quepem including some councilors and members of Quepem Citizens Committee.
Speaking to Herald, President of Quepem Citizen Committee, Evangelisto D’Costa said that the tree stumps which remained along the road have became more dangerous than the trees as they are not visible, particularly during the night and demanded to remove them immediately to avoid accidents along the road.
When contacted, Quepem Deputy Collector, Shankar Gaonkar said that he is not aware about the tree stumps that remained after cutting of the trees as no one has brought this to his notice.
Blaming the PWD (Roads) division, Gaonkar said that they were directed to cut down the trees as it was obstructing traffic and many accidents had occured. If they kept the stumps at the site, then the purpose is not served and added that he will look into the matter.
When the matter was brought to the notice of the Assistant Engineer of the PWD (Roads), Canacona Division, Pradip Pednekar, who was given additional charge of Quepem division, he said that the stumps are not removed because the roots have gone deep under the road. “To remove the roots, the road has to be dug and the traffic must be diverted through another route,” informed Pednekar as he assured to paint the stumps with a fluorescent paint for the time being.
