Dense trees on road medians creating problems
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 19 2022:
Plantation of different varieties of trees including flowers on the road medians in Imphal city area and poor maintenance of these plants are causing concerns among pedestrians and drivers as these plants have become one of the reasons for road accidents.
Though leafy plants and flowers were planted on the road medians by urban forest division as part of the city beautification programme, some fully grown
trees/plants have become so dense and ill-maintained that pedestrians and drivers could not see vehicles moving on other side of the road.
Such trees could be seen on medians of key roads of like Tiddim, Imphal-Lilong, Imphal-Koirengei and Uripok-Kangchup routes.
These plants have become one main reason for causing road accident as pedestrians crossing the road are blurred from spotting vehicles moving
on other side of the road.
Drivers taking U-turn too are facing difficulty as the trees close to traffic junction affect their vision, thereby making them susceptible to face road accidents.
Forest department is currently taking up drives to remove tall grasses grown on road medians using machines but never cut excessively and abnormally grown tree/flower branches which are cause of concern for pedestrians and drivers, a concerned pedestrian informed, adding that it would be better for public if not dense trees/flowers are planted on road medians.
Many varieties of trees are planted on road medians in foreign countries too but only the trees which could remain green and attractive are planted and no trees are seen planted near U-turn or pedestrian crossing, the pedestrian pointed out, while expressing the
desire of following norms of foreign countries in the state for public safety.