Mumbai Tree Fall: Inquiry Exonerates BMC Departments, Penalises Contractor

Mumbai, July 14: The inquiry committee investigating the June 30 tree fall incident in Chembur that claimed the life of a 13-year-old student and injured several others has exonerated the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Gardens and Roads Departments, while holding the contractor and supervising consultancy responsible for negligence. The committee has recommended a fine of ₹5 lakh on the contractor and ₹2 lakh on the consultancy firm.

The committee, comprising Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malvade and Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore, submitted its report to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Monday. The report found no fault with the BMC departments, stating that the tree was located in a storm water drain and that the Roads Department had left a safe perimeter around it to maintain drainage continuity.

According to the report, the Garden Department had alerted the Roads Department about tree safety on April 9, 2025 and January 27, 2026. The Roads Department subsequently informed the contractor, Gawar Construction Limited, on March 9, 2026, about insufficient precautions, and the Mahimtura Consultant failed to monitor the work. The committee concluded that the contractor and consultant were negligent.

The committee also noted that heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the incident likely contributed to the tree fall. Rainfall data showed 62.8 mm on June 28, 71.6 mm on June 29, and 13.6 mm until 3 pm on June 30. Wind speed at the time was 25.7 km/h. Across Mumbai, 1,158 trees or branches fell during the heavy rain period from June 28 to July 5.

The report recommends 25 measures to prevent future incidents, including regular tree risk assessments by a multidisciplinary panel, a GIS-based inventory of roadside trees, expert-supervised excavation of roots, afforestation with native species, minimising concrete around tree bases, and scientific pruning. The committee also directed the creation of a separate Standard Operating Procedure for tree safety and the appointment of arborists for tree pruning.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has ordered implementation of the committee’s findings and recommendations. The incident, in which a peepal tree fell on a school bus near Diamond Garden in Chembur (West), has sparked calls for improved tree management in the city.