Kolkata Civic Department Faces Criticism Over 14-Hour Delay in Clearing Fallen Tree
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) parks department, typically recognized for its prompt response in clearing trees that collapse on public roads, faced significant scrutiny this week. A severe squall on Monday evening caused a Rudrapalash tree's trunk to split in two, completely blocking the entrance to a housing complex in the Kasba neighborhood. This obstruction left over 60 families stranded and unable to drive their vehicles in or out.
Residents Stranded and Frustrated by Extended Wait
Despite multiple contacts with civic officials and local police by residents from the five buildings within the complex, the fallen tree remained in place until around noon on Tuesday. This 14-hour delay prevented residents from using their cars and raised serious concerns about emergency access. Maxillofacial surgeon Ritoban Saha Bhowmick, who returned late on Monday and managed to park his car outside the complex after finding the entrance blocked, highlighted the issue.
"Had a tree blocked the public road, it would have been cleared last night itself," Bhowmick stated. "Residents contacted civic officials and police multiple times. Yet, it took 14 hours to clear the tree. Had there been an emergency in the complex, I don't know how responders would have reached." Some residents were forced to leave on foot and rely on app-based cab services to commute.
KMC Officials Cite Widespread Tree Damage Across South Kolkata
A senior official from the KMC parks department explained that the delay was due to extensive damage from the squall. "Uprooting of over 40 trees kept civic employees busy across several neighbourhoods in south Kolkata, hence the delay," the official said. The department had to deploy trained workers from various boroughs to address multiple incidents of fallen trees throughout the area, prioritizing public roads which are typically cleared more swiftly.
This incident underscores the challenges faced by municipal services during extreme weather events, where resource allocation must balance between public infrastructure and private residential areas. The prolonged blockage at the Kasba housing complex has sparked discussions about response protocols and the need for efficient coordination in such situations to ensure safety and accessibility for all citizens.
