Debris, branches on roads make life difficult in Panaji

PANAJI: Tree branches and debris continue to lie around the state capital for weeks, ever since the monsoon hit the state.


The responsibility of clearing the logs and debris which obstruct traffic flow and pedestrians’ access to footpaths is the responsibility of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).

When corporators raised the issue at the CCP meeting on Monday, commissioner Shashank Tripathi told them that CCP cannot move it because it is a specialized job which requires the use of a crane which the corporation doesn’t have. CCP’s trucks also have their regular schedule, he added.

He said that no contractor is willing lift the tree branches.

Former mayor Vaidehi Naik and corporator Soraya Pinto Makhija raised the issue at the council meeting and questioned CCP about not lifting garbage.

The fire and emergency services attended to numerous calls of branches falling on roads, electricity lines and houses during the heavy rainfall and strong winds that the state witnessed last month. While the fire and emergency personnel have use specialized equipment to clear roads, power lines and homes of tree branches, it is the CCP’s responsibility to pick up the debris.