After heavy rains on 15 July, a huge “Neem” tree, got uprooted & fell on live overhead electric wires opp S-363, near the nalla wall, at around 6 pm.
The pressure exerted on the wires, broke three electric poles, creating a major disaster.
Luckily, no life or property was lost/damaged. It was a miracle.
However, it posed a major challenge for RWA and the authorities. Various departments like BSES, Fire Brigade, Police and horticulture dept were informed and they arrived quite promptly. The area was cordoned off by the security guards of SBWS, by closing gate no. 4 and erecting barricades.
Electric supply was cut and major portion of S Block plunged into darkness.
The major task, was to start and resume the power supply and that could not happen unless the huge branches were removed. Somehow, our local DGM & SDO of BSES showed great presence of mind and restored the supply by 10.30 pm.
The MCD contractor arrived only after 10.30pm as there was heavy traffic jam all over Delhi, due to a heavy downpour.
16 July, morning, a Sunday, the MCD team arrived at 6.30 am. BSES team also arrived. SBWS MC team was there in full strength. Chopping off the tree and removing the logs finished by 10 am. Wires were retrieved from underneath the tree. A heavy crane was deployed by BSES to remove the broken poles & replacing those with new poles. Many cars were parked alongside the nalla wall, which were creating a major hurdle. Somehow, with the help of Police and by posting several messages in the groups, owners were located and cars removed.
Our Councilor, Shikha Ji was in constant touch with me and visited the site twice and extended all help. Several teams were on the job, monitoring and coordinating the efforts, serving tea, cold drinks etc. to the workers. Many nearby residents chipped in by supplying torches at night and offering food etc. to our guards and workers.
After the huge logs were carried away by MCD, SBWS park staff removed the huge mass of small branches and leaves etc and cleared the road.
BSES team did a marvelous job & erected three new poles & connected the wires etc. by 6 pm. Full supply was restored by 9 pm. Our thanks to Mr Mukesh, DGM & Mr Abijeet, SDO, BSES.
Lots of appreciation messages (More than 100) were received by Team SBWS for the effort. A few are being shared herewith:
“A great job done. Team SBWS needs to be complimented for its initiative”-Brig. Mehra, S 406
“This is the result of persistent chasing of BSES etc. by our MC, specifically our President, Well done”- Brig, Gupta-S 462
“Extremely appreciative work being done by President & his team. A difficult job b done so well & with determination”- Maj.Gen. Anil Oberoi, S 251
“Mahesh Ji & team SBWS, excellent work against all odds for Y’Day night power problem. A couple of months ago, when I had to shift my house, I preferred staying in S Block itself. Reason was, best & efficient team work of office bearers. M K sir. My prayers for your good health.”- Augustine Julius, S 481, GF
However, the underlying problem remains that timely pruning is not done by civic agencies, be it MCD or Forest department. Getting permissions is becoming more and more difficult, with new stringent norms being prescribed by Courts, NGT & various NGO’s. RWA’s find themselves at their wits end.
