The locals of the Dighalipukhuri vicinity in Guwahati have been facing the issue of unlit streetlights in the area near the Satya Nath Bora Lane. The problem arose after a tree collapsed by itself in the locality.
On September 14 last, an old tree that was around 60 feet tall and which was approximately more than 100 years old, got uprooted after incessant rains and collapsed. Besides blocking the footpath, this has hindered the mobility of the residents after dark. "The fall of the tree broke the electricity post. As such there are no streetlights in the area, the road is pitch dark in the evening," said Tridip Borah, a resident whose house is situated exactly opposite the fallen tree.
On the issue of installing new streetlights, Ghanshyam Das, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Commissioner said, "We have a policy to repair streetlights but there's no way that extra streetlights will be installed." The residents have further claimed about incidents of chain-snatching in the night under the cover of the darkness.
Another problem has been the disruption of the footpath space with the tree lying there since the incident. So far, only the portion on the road has been cleared. This has hindered the people who take their walks by the lake and has hampered the activities of the fitness enthusiasts of the city who use the surrounding areas for jogging.
The bigger issue: Heritage of Dighalipukhuri
The locals claimed that the trees of the Dighalipukhuri have become weak over the years. As such they have approached the GMC to intervene in the situation. The locals are concerned about preventing the trees from falling to preserve the ecosystem and aesthetics of the historic area.
Madhava Nanda Dutta Bordoloi, a resident of the area has even suggested measures to contain the situation. In an email addressed to the GMC Commissioner, he pointed out the need for three feet of concrete construction surrounding all the trees on the foot paths and filling the same with earth for all trees around the Dighalipukhuri urgently to avoid further dying and falling of the trees.
Secondly, the branches of the existing trees need to be cut and trimmed as the old trees are falling due to the weight of their own dried out branches and stems which can be arranged.
However, the GMC has stated that the forest department is the responsible authority to maintain the trees. G Plus contacted the forest department. "The GMC can ask the forest department to come and take the trees. For the issue, one has to contact the range office near Bharalumukh," said Jayanta Deka, DFO Guwahati Wildlife.