BMC Rejects Chembur Tree Collapse Probe, Orders New Inquiry

On Thursday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) civic general body rejected an internal inquiry report that cleared its Garden and Roads departments of responsibility for a fatal tree-collapse in Chembur, Mumbai. Mayor Ritu Tawde rejected the report, which cleared officials after a 60-year-old Peepal tree collapsed and killed an 11-year-old school student, and ordered a fresh independent third-party inquiry.

Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar raised a point of order and strongly criticized the internal probe. He accused the report of shielding civic officials while only imposing a Rs 7 lakh penalty on the contractor and consultant.

Khankar questioned why the concerned Assistant Road Engineer failed to act despite repeated warnings from the Garden Department that the tree's roots had been damaged during road excavation. In protest, Khankar tore up a copy of the report in the House and demanded an independent inquiry.

Mayor Tawde expressed outrage, stating that she and Garden Committee Chairperson Hetal Gala had not been shared the crucial inquiry report. Tawde noted she had previously inspected the Chembur site and raised concerns about weak trees, but was assured by the site engineer that precautions were taken.

Tawde pointed out that local residents, activists, and public representatives had repeatedly warned the BMC about dangerous trees, but their warnings were ignored. She stated that 11 people had lost their lives during the monsoon in incidents involving tree collapses, house collapses, and open manholes.

Replying to the House, Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane stated that it is scientifically difficult to predict exactly when a tree might collapse. He noted the Peepal tree in Chembur was around 60 years old and that the BMC is consulting experts to protect trees and identify dangerous ones.