Tree falls on 2 cars at SR Government College

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 18

Two cars, parked on the premises of SR Government College, got damaged as a portion of a tree fell on them. The cars belonged to staff members of the college and they were parked at the spot marked as parking area.

The incident happened when the staff and students had hardly commenced the days’ proceedings. “I had parked my Scorpio under the tree a few minutes ago and left to take lectures. Students, who were gathered under the tree as it is their favourite hangout, heard the branch falling off the tree. Thankfully, they rushed aside but the branch fell on our cars, completely damaging my Scorpio and another car’s front portion,” said Prof Khushpal Sandhu Samra, head of the English department of the college. The tree, she said, was quite old and should have been marked for any such incident.

“The college has constituted a committee to identify and maintain trees on the campus. The building of the college is over 80 years old and must have more such old hollow tress. They should be marked as dangerous or some warning signs must be put on them to avoid any mishap like this,” she said. Prof Sandhu is planning to ask the college authorities to take the claim for the incident and compensate her damages.

PWD officials were informed by the college authorities to retrieve the vehicles, but the fallen portion of the tree hadn’t been picked till evening. Dr Savita Sachdeva, Principal, SR Government College, said, “There are several old trees on the campus. One among them is unsafe. Previously, the college had written to forest authorities to mark the unsafe trees for caution, but nothing has been done till date. Also, the old trees fall under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction and the college does not maintain them or chop them without permission.” She said she had issued notice to exercise caution till more unsafe trees are identified.