Dried trees in dump yards may pose fire risk: PMK

Hours after Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) expressed concern over fire accidents at dump yards, a fire broke out at a yard near Egmore railway station on Saturday evening.

Pointing out that fire may break out in the yards, where the Greater Chennai Corporation had dumped uprooted trees and foliage, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) had demanded the officials concerned to remove the trees as early as possible to avert such incidents. 

In a statement on Saturday morning, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss said that Cyclone Vardah had caused havoc on December 12 uprooting and damaging a large number of trees in the city and suburbs. “Even 12 days after the cyclone, rescue and relief operations are going on with some parts of city and suburbs still facing power cuts. This has affected the common people,” he added. 

“Even worse, all the fallen trees and branches have been dumped in playgrounds and premises of corporation’s divisional and zonal offices. There is no protection for these dump yards and there is a high possibility for fire breaking out,” Ramadoss said. 

The PMK leader noted that most of the fallen trees were planted for shade and were not strong. “Due to the blazing sun, the trees and branches are now dry and even a light spark would spread like wildfire,” he said. 

Cyclone Vardah did not spare the parks in the city. “The state government, along with the Corporation should complete the works 

on a war-footing. They should also plant more saplings after clearing the city,” he demanded. 

Admitting that a fire break out was possible, the Greater Chennai Corporation claimed that they had taken all precautionary measures to avoid such an incident. “We have appointed staff to monitor the dump yards. Further, we have alerted fire stations located near such yards,” K S Kandasamy, Deputy Commissioner (Works), GCC, told DTNext . He added that they have also informed nearby police stations and patrol teams to keep an eye on the yards.