Slow death for fig trees planted in CWG run-up
Less than two years after they were planted ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the dozen-odd ficus trees — almost four feet tall — are on the verge of drying at the large traffic island on Bhairon Marg.
Less than two years after they were planted ahead of the Commonwealth Games, the dozen-odd ficus trees — almost four feet tall — are on the verge of drying at the large traffic island on Bhairon Marg.
After shifting the carriageway nearer to the Bhairon Mandir, the authorities had converted the portion between the up and down path into a showcase for street art complete with fancy lights and proper landscaping.
Amid the already existing trees, a number of Ficus Benjamina, commonly called the Weeping Fig, a popular variety of ficus used in landscaping, were planted. However, less than two years after the place was decked up, these trees seem to have been forgotten. Dry sticks are all that can be seen instead of the Ficus, although other trees and shrubs in the area retain the green edge.
The road belongs to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the landscape in between the two carriageways, too, is maintained by them.
However, the PWD officials responsible for the stretch are not exactly sure about the reasons, and with a water source nearby, the possible lack of water is not surely one of them.
“I am not exactly sure, but may be, our people must not have watered the plants properly,” said a senior PWD official.
“May be the rotation for fertilizers or the cycle was not maintained,” he added.