A container truck lost control at Kowdiar early on Wednesday after it hit the branches of a leaning tree. Fortunately, no major loss was reported.
According to officials of Thiruvanathapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL), concessionaire of the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP), the area is prone to accidents mainly owing to the presence of the leaning tree. However, the TRDCL authorities were not even allowed to do the necessary pruning in the area following protests from a group of environmentalists.
“Earlier, we had demanded cutting down of the tree because it was dangerously leaning toward the road. But environmentalists raised a protest. Back in February, when we went for necessary pruning works, they again objected. Luckily, nothing serious occurred this time. But the area is prone to accidents,” said Anil Kumar Pandala, project director, TRDCL.
He said an equipment worth ` 18 lakh bought for pruning-related work was remaining idle owing to unnecessary protest from environmentalists.
According to Museum police, the goods in the container belonged to the ISRO. A major mishap was averted as the accident scene was close to a petrol pump.