Dangerous Trees Pose a Threat in Palampur, But Authorities Remain Silent
Dangerous Trees Pose a Threat in Palampur, But Authorities Remain Silent
Palampur, 13 February: The presence of overaged and hazardous trees along the national highway near Vikram Batra College has become a serious threat to commuters. Despite repeated warnings from concerned citizens and journalists over the past decade, authorities have failed to take action.
These trees, with dried-up roots, are on the verge of collapse and could fall at any time, potentially causing fatal accidents involving buses, trucks, or two-wheelers. The issue has been raised multiple times with the SDM, DFO, and MC Commissioner, yet no one has taken responsibility.
A similar case of administrative neglect can be seen near the fire brigade, where an old government residence, possibly a former DSP’s quarters, has been left to deteriorate. Overgrown with wild vegetation, grass, and creepers, the building has turned into ruins. Despite multiple reports and editorials highlighting the issue, the authorities have turned a blind eye.
Journalists have been forced to step in where government officials have failed. A recent example is the uprooted road near the police station, which was only repaired after journalist Ravinder Sood raised the issue in The Tribune. Before that, officials had dismissed concerns, claiming that tarring wouldn’t hold. However, the road has remained intact for three years now, proving that inaction was the real issue.
It is concerning that even minor issues such as potholes, water leaks, and illegal parking are only resolved when journalists bring them to public attention. This raises serious questions about the role of field staff and government authorities.
The current state of affairs suggests a dangerous trend in governance—waiting for disasters to happen before taking action and neglecting small issues until they escalate. If this indifference continues, the cost may be measured in human lives.
— TCT News Bureau
Dangerous Trees in Palampur: A Disaster Waiting to Happen👆👆👆👆
The trees shown in the pictures have completely dried-up roots, making them highly unstable. A slight gust of wind could bring them crashing down onto passing vehicles or pedestrians, potentially leading to fatal accidents. However, despite the clear danger, officials seem unable to take action.
The bureaucratic hurdles surrounding tree-cutting are so complex that removing a single tree appears to be a task more challenging than climbing Mount Everest. While the SDM personally intervened to have a dangerous tree near the Palampur fire brigade residence removed, even that process faced resistance. Some individuals and certain NGOs opposed the decision, questioning how a tree could be cut down, regardless of the risk it posed.
Similarly, many other hazardous trees remain standing, posing a significant threat to public safety. Government officials and departments may be willing to remove them, but interference from activists and certain groups prevents them from taking action.
A few years ago, a scooter rider lost his life after a tree branch fell on him. Yet, even such tragic incidents fail to prompt decisive action. If immediate steps are not taken, more lives could be lost due to this negligence.
— TCT News Bureau
