Action plan soon for expediting removal of dangerous trees in Kottayam

Taking into account the threat posed by trees at different locations to public safety, the Kottayam district administration is set to introduce a set of guidelines to address technical hurdles in removing hazardous trees.

Addressing the demand during a meeting of the District Development Committee, District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena said a session would soon be convened to formulate the guidelines and speed up the removal process.

During the Saturday meeting, Government Chief Whip N. Jayaraj highlighted that trees uprooted by heavy rains posed a major challenge, causing extensive damage across the district. The Joint Director of the Local Self-Government department confirmed that necessary measures were underway to remove dangerous trees along roads under local body jurisdiction.

The District Panchayat Secretary, convener of the Tree Committee in Kottayam, stated that 118 applications had been received for the removal of hazardous trees in public spaces. Permissions were granted to cut down 344 trees and remove the tops of 96 trees.

Changanassery MLA Job Maichil, meanwhile, called for faster action to remove trees lined up on both sides of the Changanassery Bypass road, noting that tender procedures for the ₹96-crore flyover on the stretch were already complete. He also urged the administration to expedite pipeline works ahead of renovation activities on the Changanassery-Kaviyoor road.

Thiruvanchoor MLA Radhakrishnan demanded a list of roads rebuilt under the Jal Jeevan Mission and raised concerns over regular garbage accumulation on Erayilkadavu road and CMS College Road. Poonjar MLA Sebastian Kulathunkal highlighted fears among over 500 residents of Kombukuthy following an elephant attack and urged that hanging fencing works be completed without delay.

The meeting, held at the District Planning Committee Conference Hall, was attended by Additional District Magistrate S. Sreejith, District Planning Officer M.P. Anilkumar and other district officials.