Old peepal trees at risk as PMC digging on Pashan-Susgaon Road exposes roots

Excavation for a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) project on Pashan-Susgaon Road has put around 8 to 10 old peepal trees at risk of being uprooted. Residents say the contractor has done nothing to protect the trees. They want the PMC to act immediately.

The PMC is building a 400-metre grade separator on the road. The digging done to widen the road and lay drinking water lines has exposed the roots of the peepal trees. The protective railings around the trees have also cracked in several places. According to local residents, the contractor made no arrangements to keep the trees safe during the work.

The condition of the drinking water pipeline in the area is also poor. Its joints are open and there is no support under the pipe, so it hangs in the air in the open. Residents fear the pipe could break, which would cut off the water supply and could also cause accidents.

A local resident said, "Pashan-Susgaon Road is our daily walking road." The resident said work has been going on here for four months. The resident also said, "The contractor had been told about the trees earlier, but they took no step. The corporation should take immediate measures to save the trees."

Once the grade separator is ready, the route for motorists heading from Pashan towards the Bengaluru highway will become considerably shorter. However, work on the project has been proceeding at a very slow pace for the past four months.

In view of all this, residents of the area have demanded that the PMC administration take proper steps without delay, so that the old trees can be saved and the water pipeline can also be repaired.