'Rs 1 lakh is the worth of a life': Father of Vikhroli tree fall victim slams BMC after Chembur tragedy

Venkatesh and Tejas Naidu. Pic/By Special Arrangement

A vaguely worded reply via mail and Rs 1 lakh ex gratia - that's the worth of a life according to the BMC," said Venkatesh Naidu, the father of 25-year-old Tejas Naidu who lost his life in a tree collapse amid heavy rainfall at Ganesh Maidan in Vikhroli on May 26, 2025.

Following Tuesday's tree fall in Chembur, which crushed a passing bus and killed an 11-year-old boy, Naidu accused the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of failing to learn from past tragedies. "The civic body continues to ignore warning signs until lives are lost."

The letter issued to the grieving father by the civic body, explaining that the tree responsible for his son's death was hollow

The grieving father said the similarities between the two incidents were striking. "The BMC has now replied to us in writing that the tree which killed my son was hollow from within as its roots had caught fungus from the inside. On Tuesday, officials again claimed that the Chembur tree was hollow and was affected after the road concreting work was conducted. If they know these trees are dangerous, why are they waiting for them to collapse and kill someone before taking action?" he questioned.

The death of Tejas had sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for scientific tree audits across Mumbai. Tuesday's incident has once again raised concerns over the civic body's tree inspection and maintenance mechanisms.

Voices of concern

Upendra Sawant, former corporator of the area
‘It's heartless of the authorities to write that they have provided ex gratia. What about the lives lost so far and those still being lost? When will the authorities start being responsible?'

Prakash Sonmale, citizen activist and founder of Apla Kannamwar Nagar
‘Citizens pay taxes expecting that they will get better facilities. Instead, ignorance and carelessness from the authorities are what they get in return. Every year, we write letters to the BMC seeking a tree audit. However, a proper scientific exercise is never conducted, resulting in such fatal incidents. How many more such tragedies should occur before the BMC understands the severity of the situation?'

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