Ghaziabad: Ahead of the monsoon season, residents in Ghaziabad have called upon local authorities to establish a quick-response team dedicated to handling emergencies involving overgrown trees, similar to a system already in place in Delhi. In a letter addressed to the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC), residents highlighted the frequent incidents of old trees being uprooted during heavy rainfall, which disrupts traffic and poses safety hazards.
Recent Thunderstorm Highlights Urgency
The demand comes just days after a devastating thunderstorm swept through the state, claiming at least 117 lives, uprooting countless trees and electric poles, and causing the collapse of numerous houses. The storm underscored the vulnerability of the region to such natural events.
Green Cover and Associated Risks
According to the 2023 Forest Survey of India report, Ghaziabad boasts a green cover of 21 square kilometers across both rural and urban areas. However, the old and overgrown trees in residential zones present significant risks, particularly during the monsoon months. Residents believe that early identification of such hazardous trees and timely intervention by response teams can mitigate dangers to both life and property.
Residents' Concerns and Suggestions
Rajesh Singh, a resident of Abhay Khand, stated, “Every season, we witness incidents of trees falling on power cables, cars parked beneath them, or in the middle of the road. If damaged and old, dilapidated trees are identified in advance and preventive measures are taken, a large extent of road and commuter safety could be ensured.” Residents have demanded systematic preventive pruning of large tree branches that pose threats to power lines and roadways.
Pradeep Gupta, a resident of Shalimar Garden, added, “The Delhi government has deployed response teams across all districts to ensure the immediate removal of trees and branches that fall on roads during rain or storms. Ghaziabad is also affected by similar weather conditions. So, we urge the GMC officials to implement our recommendations swiftly.”
Official Response Pending
While officials from the horticulture department have stated that trees are being pruned regularly, the GMC has yet to respond to the request for setting up dedicated response teams. Residents await action to ensure their safety during the upcoming monsoon season.
