Storms Expose Administrative Gaps, Disrupt Chandigarh’s City Beautiful Image
Fallen trees, blocked roads, and safety concerns resurface after every spell of strong winds and rain. Chandigarh:24 January Chandigarh, widely known as India’s first planned city and popularly called the “City Beautiful,” witnessed widespread disruption following recent strong winds and rainfall, once again drawing attention to issues related to Chandigarh storm preparedness and public safety. Several parts of the city reported fallen tree branches strewn across roads after the storm, disrupting traffic on major arterial routes as well as internal lanes. In many areas, debris remained uncleared for hours, causing inconvenience to school-going children, office commuters, senior citizens, and daily pedestrians. The obstruction of ambulance movement and other emergency services emerged as a serious concern. More troubling were reports of heavy tree branches falling on moving vehicles and pedestrians at multiple locations. Although no major casualties were reported, residents questioned whether public safety could continue to depend on chance. “Can citizen safety be left to chance every time a storm hits?” the press release asked. According to the statement, such incidents are not isolated. Residents, social organisations, and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have repeatedly urged authorities to carry out scientific pruning and routine maintenance of trees before the monsoon season and periods of strong winds. The timely identification of weak, diseased, or imbalanced trees has been a consistent demand over the years. Recently, delegations representing several RWAs met the Chief Secretary and submitted memorandums supported by photographs highlighting ground-level conditions across the city. However, the press release stated that despite assurances, visible and time-bound action remains absent. “Meetings, assurances, and prolonged silence have become a routine response,” it noted. The issue of accountability was also raised, with questions over which department is responsible for tree maintenance, how monitoring is conducted, and why no public action plan or future strategy is shared with residents. Emphasising that Chandigarh’s greenery is central to its identity, the statement stressed that environmental conservation must go hand in hand with citizen safety. It called for a shift from reactive post-storm measures to advance preparedness, including pre-monsoon tree audits, identification of vulnerable trees, designation of responsible officers, and a robust emergency response system. The press release was issued by R.K. Garg of the Second Innings Association, Chandigarh, urging authorities to ensure that the true spirit of the “City Beautiful” is reflected in the safety and security of its residents throughout the year.
