Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, July 28: Traffic movement along the Mangaluru–Bengaluru National Highway through the scenic Charmadi Ghat has come under threat due to dangerously leaning trees along the roadside, especially in the stretch from Nidigal to Charmadi in Belthangady taluk.

Stretching nearly 35 kilometers, this section is dotted with hundreds of trees precariously tilted towards the road, posing risks to motorists and pedestrians alike. Particularly in the 12-kilometer stretch from Nidigal to Charmadi, several trees have exposed roots and are further endangered by overhead electric lines, amplifying the hazard.

Highway expansion work under the national road development plan had earlier led to the removal of several trees in this zone. While thousands more were marked for clearance, many still stand with their roots excavated during the widening process. Poor drainage infrastructure has caused rainwater from the forests to flood into the road margins like small streams, weakening the trees’ base further.

Three trees fall in two days; accidents reported

In just two days, three trees fell onto the highway—one on Thursday and two more on Friday—within the Mundaje to Kapu reserved forest stretch, severely disrupting traffic. One tree near Nidigal crashed onto a moving two-wheeler, while another, along with an electric pole, fell on a car near Kapu in Mundaje. Both incidents resulted in injuries.

With the region currently experiencing rainfall and strong winds, officials fear that more trees—already leaning towards the road—might fall, increasing the danger.

Frequent power disruptions add to public woes

Electricity supply has also taken a hit. Falling trees and branches have damaged over 500 electric poles and numerous transformers across Ujire and Belthangady MESCOM subdivisions since March, leading to power outages and extensive losses worth lakhs of rupees.

Due to forest clearance restrictions, MESCOM is permitted to trim branches only within a 3-foot radius around power lines. However, the size and reach of the trees far exceed this limit, causing continual disturbances.

“We have submitted a formal request to the Forest Department to address the hazardous trees and branches near the power lines,” said Praveen, Assistant Executive Engineer of MESCOM, Ujire.

Tyagaraj, RFO of Beltangady Forest Department, said, “A team has already surveyed the high-risk and dry trees leaning onto the highway. Immediate action will be taken to trim branches and clear fallen trees wherever necessary to ensure public safety.”