Mangalore: Tree Gets Uprooted Due to Haphazard Highway Work

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 16: A huge tree, probably over 75 years old, which was standing majestically at Tokkottu near the city on national highway 66, got uprooted across the highway at around 6.30 am on Friday September 16. As there were no vehicles on the highway, which usually witnesses heavy traffic, at that point of time, no loss of life or property were reported.

The coastline of Karnataka has been receiving torrential rainfall since the last two days. Haphazard digging undertaken by the contractors entrusted with highway widening work at the spot apparently caused the tree to fall.

The soil around the tree had become very loose. Luckily, the tree fell across the highway instead of on a house located nearby, and thus averting a tragedy.

Another tree located near the spot also is facing the danger of getting uprooted because of highway widening work, unless remedial steps are undertaken immediately. The firemen and policemen with the help of members of the general public have been engaged in cutting down the tree in an attempt to restore normal traffic.

The people’s representatives and officials need to take urgent measures to ensure that roadside trees are saved as far as possible, by instructing the highway officials properly, the people who gathered at the spot opined.