Massive Tree Collapse Disrupts Traffic in Jampui Hills; Locals and TSR Step In Amid Forest Department Inaction

Jampuijala, Tripura | August 1, 2025 — A massive tree collapsed on the Gholaghati–Jampuijala road near Jagannath Para on Thursday night, bringing traffic to a complete halt and causing a minor accident involving multiple bikers. Despite the gravity of the situation, the forest department remained absent until Friday afternoon, forcing local residents and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel to take matters into their own hands. 

TSR

Locals partially cleared the road by removing smaller branches, allowing only light vehicles to pass. However, larger vehicles remained stranded until Friday noon when TSR jawans, whose vehicle also got stuck, stepped in to clear the road. After a prolonged effort, the tree was pushed aside enough for larger vehicles to resume movement.

Local resident Prantosh Das expressed deep concern over the recurring danger posed by the area’s aging and oversized trees. “Old trees fall onto roads, dry branches fall on pedestrians, and sometimes trees collapse onto farmlands, damaging crops. Still, the forest department doesn’t respond,” he said.

In Gholaghati market, businessmen like Haridhan Das highlighted that the large trees, planted in the 1990s, now pose serious risks. “Sometimes entire trees fall, other times it’s just heavy branches — injuring both buyers and sellers. We live in constant fear.”

He further added that the forest department often prevents locals from collecting fallen dry branches, even during religious events like Harinaam Sankirtan, where dry wood is needed for cooking.

Local vendors and farmers have demanded immediate removal of hazardous trees and urged the administration to plant fruit-bearing or medicinal trees as a safer and more sustainable alternative.

By Shib ch Debbarma

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