Porvorim trees get a new lease of life
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PANAJI: More than 35 trees dotting national highway 17 at Porvorim may survive longer after PWD authorities drew up measures to allow them some breathing space from the carpet of asphalt being spread over their roots.
The widening of a one-km long stretch of the highway from Azad Bhavan to O Coqueiro junction had irked tree lovers, as they were worried that burying the tree's roots under the asphalt may weaken them and lead to their toppling over gradually.
A joint inspection was held by PWD's national highway division executive engineer Ulhas Kerkar and tree lovers to verify the status of the work on Tuesday. "Some space will be kept around each tree, depending on its size," a PWD source said.
A few huge trees, apparently around a century old, are also dotting the highway. "These are the majestic banyan trees, which will get about four feet of space around them," Pravin Sabnis, a tree lover said.
PWD will install quadrants around the trees to protect them. "A seat or two will be provided for people to sit and rest," Sabnis added. A pavement with kerb stones 6 inches high and surfaced with pavers to half of the width from the extreme left of the highway will be provided.
The work of digging by the roadside had commenced over a week back. Tree lovers were aghast after the area around the base of the trees was tarred after December 15, 2012. A few citizens held a silent protest under one of the banyan trees, holding placards urging authorities to save the trees.
PWD authorities have agreed to remove the tar around the trees. "They have agreed to carry out a clean-up exercise once the entire work is completed," S Kamat, a Porvorim resident said.
The additional road width with open space along the 500-metre stretch on the eastern side of the highway will be tarred to widen it. "This had not occurred to the authorities earlier, who used up the western side dotted with trees," Kamat added.
A botanist said tarring over the root base may not adversely impact the trees. "Many of them have developed deep roots, but growth may be stunted," he said.
The additional road width with open space along the 500-metre stretch on the eastern side of the highway will be tarred to widen it. "This had not occurred to the authorities earlier, who used up the western side dotted with trees," Kamat added.
The widening of a one-km long stretch of the highway from Azad Bhavan to O Coqueiro junction had irked tree lovers, as they were worried that burying the tree's roots under the asphalt may weaken them and lead to their toppling over gradually.
A joint inspection was held by PWD's national highway division executive engineer Ulhas Kerkar and tree lovers to verify the status of the work on Tuesday. "Some space will be kept around each tree, depending on its size," a PWD source said.
A few huge trees, apparently around a century old, are also dotting the highway. "These are the majestic banyan trees, which will get about four feet of space around them," Pravin Sabnis, a tree lover said.
PWD will install quadrants around the trees to protect them. "A seat or two will be provided for people to sit and rest," Sabnis added. A pavement with kerb stones 6 inches high and surfaced with pavers to half of the width from the extreme left of the highway will be provided.
The work of digging by the roadside had commenced over a week back. Tree lovers were aghast after the area around the base of the trees was tarred after December 15, 2012. A few citizens held a silent protest under one of the banyan trees, holding placards urging authorities to save the trees.
PWD authorities have agreed to remove the tar around the trees. "They have agreed to carry out a clean-up exercise once the entire work is completed," S Kamat, a Porvorim resident said.
The additional road width with open space along the 500-metre stretch on the eastern side of the highway will be tarred to widen it. "This had not occurred to the authorities earlier, who used up the western side dotted with trees," Kamat added.
A botanist said tarring over the root base may not adversely impact the trees. "Many of them have developed deep roots, but growth may be stunted," he said.
The additional road width with open space along the 500-metre stretch on the eastern side of the highway will be tarred to widen it. "This had not occurred to the authorities earlier, who used up the western side dotted with trees," Kamat added.
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