Chandigarh, April 18: Dried-up trees tilting precariously over benches at the Student Centre of Panjab University (PU) have sparked serious safety concerns among students and staff, who fear a repeat of the 2022 mishap when a 250-year-old tree collapsed, killing one student and injuring several others.
The trees, located in one of the most frequented areas on campus, are reportedly withered and unstable, prompting calls for immediate action by the university’s horticulture division, which falls under the PU Construction Office.
“A proper audit should have been conducted before the start of each season,” said Aditya, a student. “These dried-up trees pose a direct threat to those seeking shade under them, especially with temperatures soaring.”
Another student, Aadil, said a branch had already fallen recently during light rain. “Luckily, no one was hurt. But this is a warning. There needs to be demarcation of such trees, regular audits, or some preservation or pruning measures,” he said.
The Student Centre remains a popular hangout for students and is occasionally used by staff for informal meetings. “This space is a part of the campus’s heritage and needs attention,” said a staff member who requested anonymity. “I can’t recall when these trees were last pruned.”
PU’s green policy, which guides the work of the horticulture division, includes preserving biodiversity and ecological balance in collaboration with other departments. As per official data, the 550-acre campus — spanning Sectors 14 and 25 — comprises over 50 per cent green cover, with 32,000 trees and shrubs planted in 2019-20 and over 28,000 in 2020-21.
Despite these efforts, students argue that the existing older trees must also receive maintenance. “Green cover is important, but safety can’t be overlooked,” Aditya noted.
