PWD officers to tend trees along highways

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, August 14

The Punjab PWD (B and R) Department has set a target of planting total 1,73,741 trees along three national highways (NH) crossing from the state. PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla, who was here on Tuesday, said PWD officers had been made responsible for the maintenance of trees.

“I have directed the SDO and Executive Engineers concerned and even divided roads among officers to undertake the maintenance of newly planted trees on all roads of the state. To improve the green cover in the state, plantation alone will not work. We need to make required arrangements for their maintenance,” said Singla after planting trees on the NH-7 near Sangrur.

Some senior PWD officers, who were also present, informed that on the NH-7 from Zirakpur to Bathinda, which is 216-km long, the authorities had set a target of planting total 91,585 trees and around 79,657 had been planted. On the Sangrur-Patran-Khanauri highway (NH-52), which is 57-km long, the authorities had set a target of planting total 28,000 trees and 24,500 had been planted till date. Similarly, on the Amritsar-Bathinda highway (NH-54), which is 175-km long, the authorities had planted 46,157 trees, out of the total target of 54,156.

“I have strictly made it clear that no negligence in the plantation of trees will be tolerated. We have constructed roads, but equally important is plantation. I am taking daily reports on plantation. After completion of the plantation, I will form a team to conduct checking of all trees and their maintenance,” said Singla.

Chief Engineer of the department TS Chahal, who along with other senior officers also planted trees, said all officers from top to bottom were taking the task seriously. “We need the support of area residents. We are trying to mobilise them,” said Chahal.