The Hindu       07.08.2014 

Report tabled on removal of concrete

The Chennai Corporation has left pavement tiles, removed as part of measures for doing away with concrete around trees, on the platforms itself.

R. Nagendran, expert member of National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench, made the observation on Wednesday during the hearing of a case filed by P. Edwin Wilson, of Purasawalkam, on the removal of concrete around trees on the city roads.

In June, the NGT’s vacation bench, comprising judicial member P. Jyothimani and expert member G.K. Pandey, directed the Corporation to remove concrete laid around trees along the roads, within a week.

The order was aimed at allowing better percolation of water and growth of trees. The petitioner stated that it had become a common sight to see trees along the road being choked by tar or cement laid around them.

Concretising the base would also weaken avenue trees, posing a threat to the safety of road users, he said.

On Wednesday, the Corporation’s counsel submitted an ‘action taken’ report to the bench comprising judicial member M. Chockalingam and expert member R. Nagendran.

The civic body said it had instructed all its zonal officers to remove concrete and bitumen laid within one meter of trees.

The report stated that cement concrete covering tree trunks was removed from trees on over six roads, including Balfour Road, Luz Avenue and Kilpauk Garden Road. The space was then filled with gravel and sand to allow percolation of water.

“Action is being taken to remove all signboards, advertisement boards and wires on trees,” the report stated. The Corporation is also conducting a study on the health of avenue trees and public trees by engaging an expert agency that will submit a report to the NGT.

The counsel for the petitioner pointed out that concrete was still present beneath the gravel. The case has been adjourned to September 23.

Report states action is being taken to remove boards and wires, too