Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has come under scrutiny for chopping down several decades-old trees in front of the municipal corporation office along the canal bund and within the office premises. The VMC officials claimed that the tree pruning was done as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents caused by falling branches during cyclonic storms. However, a visual inspection of the chopped-off trees reveals that over 70% of the tree bodies were cut down, leaving behind only the tree trunks.VMC horticulture deputy director Chandrasekhar explained that the tree pruning was necessary to avert untoward incidents injuring persons or damaging vehicles caused by the falling of branches due to high-velocity winds. He added that the trees would regrow, and new leaves have already started to flush from the tree trunks. Once the new branches are formed, the horticulture department will trim them to give a beautiful shape and make them look attractive.The VMC chopped down around 20 Sacred fig and Pongam trees on the canal bund in front of the VMC office and tens of Ashoka trees within the municipal corporation office premises. The horticulture deputy director claimed that the Ashoka trees, which were chopped down, would regrow at a much faster rate. He also mentioned that the parking area space inside the VMC office is limited, and the overgrown tree branches posed a danger to the two-wheelers parked under the trees.The VMC officials’ decision to chop down the trees has raised questions, with some alleging that it was done for frivolous reasons, citing poor visibility of the municipal office building’s facade. However, the officials denied these allegations, stating that the tree pruning was done solely for safety reasons.
