Tree pruning delay sparks' concerns in East Maredpally

HYDERABAD: Delay in tree pruning across residential colonies in East Maredpally is causing safety concerns among residents, who say that tree branches are interfering with power infrastructure and causing sparks, which may turn fatal in severe conditions.

“Trees with overgrown branches are increasingly coming into contact with power lines, leading to sparks and power disruptions. This not only poses a danger to residents but also threatens property and the overall well-being of the affected neighborhoods,” said Rakesh Adavula, a resident.

Further, homeowners who lodged complaints say they were being asked to pay for the pruning, saying it should be a free service by the civic authorities.

Another resident Janaki M. said, “We've always considered tree pruning a basic service provided by the city. Now, when we reached out to officials with a video of dangerous sparks, we're being told to pay for it. Our neighbor was told that it would cost Rs5,000 to prune one tree, which is unfair!”

An urban development wing official attributed the delay to multiple factors, including budget constraints, a shortage of skilled personnel, and a backlog of maintenance requests. However, he said there was no need to pay for the same and that complaints lodged were registered and being cleared.

To bridge the gap between the city municipality and the residents concerned, some are encouraging a collaborative approach. “It would be a good idea for people to report overgrown trees and potential hazards promptly, which will help prioritize pruning in high-risk areas,” said Vishal Thangam, a member of a residents’ welfare association.