1 killed as IISc wall collapses after tree falls on it

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru:

A tree fell on the compound wall of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in the wee hours of Wednesday. Labourers working on a BBMP project near IISc become victims of the mishap as it killed one labourer and injured three.

The deceased labourer was identified as Vasant, who was 30 years old. The BBMP reportedly announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to his family. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said that the information regarding the mishap came around 4.00 am.

“It might have occurred at 2.45 am,” he said. The commissioner added that the BBMP engineers and the zonal joint commissioner inspected the spot on Wednesday. “It looked like a healthy tree and the BBMP had received no requests to attend to it or cut it,” Chief said.

The tree was inside the IISc campus and fell towards the road where a BBMP project was underway. The BBMP had taken up work on the drain and footpath along the main road. The BBMP has asked the IISc to pay an amount ex-gratia to the civic body.

BBMP’s DCF handles all tree-related issues

BBMP Chief Commissioner on Wednesday clarified that all intimation and permission regarding trees within BBMP limits would be handled by the BBMP’s Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF). “Previously, there was confusion on whom to report potentially dangerous trees to,” he said.

Trees that needed felling to prevent accidents need to be reported to the DCF, following which an inspection will be carried out before granting an approval to cut the tree.

According to the Chief Commissioner, a notification to the effect was released recently by the BBMP before which such matters would be referred to the DCF, Bangalore Urban.