Shiv Sena Leader Raises Concerns After Tree Falls Near Churchgate Station
On Thursday, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande questioned the Mumbai administration's response to frequent tree-falling incidents and alleged that local shopkeepers are poisoning trees to improve shop visibility. Her statement followed a recent incident where an uprooted tree collapsed near Churchgate station amid heavy rainfall.
The incident near Churchgate station occurred at approximately 3:00 AM, according to a police officer at the scene. The uprooted tree fell onto nearby parked vehicles, crushing several cars and trapping multiple two-wheelers beneath its heavy branches.
Reacting to the disruptions caused by the ongoing heavy rains, Kayande raised concerns over the administration's failure to act on prior warnings. She questioned why the authorities failed to address complaints about unstable trees before they collapsed.
"Regarding the incident of a tree falling in Mumbai, the administration has said that there had been a complaint, and the Mayor has also responded to it," Kayande told reporters on Thursday. "If there was indeed a complaint, then why was it not addressed?"
Kayande also pointed to deliberate human action as a major factor behind the weakening of city trees. She alleged that some shopkeepers inject poisonous substances into trees located in front of their establishments because they block the visibility of their shops. This practice, she claimed, gradually weakens the trees until they die and eventually fall onto roads and parked vehicles.
The heavy rain lashing Mumbai over the past few days has led to repeated tree-falling incidents, causing major traffic disruptions and bringing vehicular movement to a halt in several areas.
The safety hazards of unaddressed trees were highlighted a few days ago in Chembur, where a tree fell on a school bus carrying 18 children. While rescue operations saved most of the passengers, four children suffered serious injuries, and an 11-year-old boy, identified as Vihan Shrivastav, was killed.
