By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
As part of its monsoon preparedness, Tiruchi Corporation has initiated measures to remove potential hazards, including dangling wires, unauthorised banners, and overhanging tree branches, along busy stretches that obstruct traffic and endanger road users.
The civic body has sanctioned ₹40.85 lakh to procure a lift-mounted truck fitted with a hydraulic lift. The vehicle will be used to clear wires hanging from electric poles and lamp posts, flex banners installed at medians and poles, and overgrown tree branches that often cause accidents during the rainy season.
The truck will enable workers to safely reach elevated spots along major roads and junctions, officials said.
Alongside, the Corporation will intensify pruning of overgrown tree branches along arterial and residential roads. Overhanging branches often fall onto electric lines, lamp posts, and moving vehicles during storms, leading to disruptions in the power supply. Dedicated teams have been deployed across all five zones to carry out pruning,
Despite repeated enforcement drives, communication wires and banners continue to crop up across the city. Telecommunication service providers and cable TV operators had earlier been instructed to remove low-hanging cables from arterial roads. However, in several stretches, cables continue to hang precariously or even lie across the road, posing a challenge to motorists. Similarly, flex boards placed on poles and roadsides for advertisements have also been flagged as potential hazards during strong winds.
“Dangling cables not only pose a threat but also damage the stability of poles. Enforcement drives should be conducted regularly to provide a safe environment for the residents,” said N. Jamaludeen, civic activist.
The Corporation plans to deploy the vehicle across all five zones of the city, prioritising school zones, commercial hubs, crowded areas, and accident-prone stretches to ensure public safety.
