Andheri tree marked unsafe in January collapses amid Mumbai rains

The society obtained permission to trim the tree, but residents say they didn’t know how to proceed. REPRESENTATION PIC/ISTOCK

A very old tree inside a society collapsed onto the Marol Military Road in Andheri East around 12 pm on Wednesday. The tree had been recognised as a fall risk by the society in late January. After obtaining permission for trimming of the tree in early February, due to a lack of knowledge on how to proceed and untrained workers, the tree was left standing till July 1, when it fell due to the heavy rain.

‘Residents are also at fault'

Pramod Sawant, corporator, Ward 75 (Marol, Andheri East) said, "They should have approached the BMC or local corporator to get guidance on how to proceed with the tree felling. One of the elderly residents of the society contacted me today and told me that they were going to approach me today about the tree, but the tree fell before they could do so."

Two injured, cars damaged

Pramod Sawant, corporator, Ward 75 (Marol, Andheri East)
‘The tree has been completely uprooted and has injured two people while damaging multiple cars. This is a very dangerous issue for Mumbaikars. As of Wednesday evening, the debris has been removed, but the main issue is how the trees are not being surveyed by the authorities. What are the authorities doing? We have many old trees along the roadside in Mumbai. If proper maintenance isn't followed with regular checking of the trees, these incidents will keep happening.'

Vigilance needed

Pramod Sawant, corporator, said, "We need to be vigilant about these things to avoid any accidents in our cities. Life and property are too precious to lose in such a manner."