Fallen Tree Blocks Gholaghati–Jampuijala Road, Locals and TSR Forced to Act

Jampuijala, Tripura — A huge roadside tree collapsed late Thursday night on the Gholaghati–Jampuijala road, near Jagannath Para, disrupting traffic for several hours and causing a minor accident involving bikers. The incident once again highlighted the apathy of the forest department, which failed to respond even by Friday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, motorcyclists skidded and fell due to the sudden blockage. By Friday morning, locals had managed to clear some branches, making way for small vehicles, but larger vehicles remained stuck. When a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) vehicle got caught in the jam, jawans themselves joined in the clearing operation. Only after their efforts was the road partially restored for full traffic movement.

Local resident Prantosh Das said tree falls have become routine. “Almost every few weeks, a tree or large branch falls — sometimes on the road, sometimes on farmlands, causing crop damage,” he said. “Despite repeated incidents, the forest department remains indifferent.”

Vendors in Gholaghati Market, like Haridhan Das, echoed similar concerns. He noted that the trees planted in the 1990s have now grown dangerously large. “Both customers and sellers have been injured in the past due to falling branches,” he said. “We’re constantly living under threat.”

Adding to the frustration, the forest department reportedly obstructs locals from collecting dry branches during community functions like Harinaam Sankirtan, citing official restrictions.

As a solution, traders and locals are now demanding the removal of hazardous trees and calling for the plantation of safer alternatives like fruit and medicinal trees.

By Choba Tripura