Shocking Tree Fall in Bengaluru: Auto Rickshaw Drivers Urge Government and BBMP for Immediate Action to Prevent Future Tragedies

A tragic incident occurred in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, on September 4, 2024, when a massive tree fell on an autorickshaw, resulting in the death of its driver, Kaleem Khan. This marks the third such incident within this year’s monsoon, with two drivers losing their lives due to falling trees. Consequently, autorickshaw unions in Bengaluru are urging the Karnataka government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to regularly assess and manage the health of trees.

Rudramurthy, the general secretary of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU), expressed the drivers’ vulnerability, emphasizing that they cannot shield themselves from such accidents. He criticized the BBMP and Forest Department for inadequately maintaining trees and announced plans for the union to meet and submit a memorandum to the government addressing these issues.

Similarly, the Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union aims to bring this matter to the attention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. M. Manjunath, president of the union, highlighted the agencies’ failure to assess tree age and perform necessary pruning. He warned that if their grievances are ignored, they might seek legal intervention.

This incident follows the death of another driver, Shivarudraiah, on August 16 in Vijayanagar, and an earlier incident on July 27 where an autorickshaw driver and a passenger suffered minor injuries when a tree fell on their vehicle.

Published: September 05, 2024, 02:25 pm IST

Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/tree-fall-in-bengaluru-auto-rickshaw-drivers-unions-ask-government-and-bbmp-to-monitor-trees-diligently-following-accidents/article68608686.ece
Category : Bengaluru
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