02 July,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
The bus the tree fell on in Chembur on Tuesday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has suspended at least two M East ward officials - Jagdish Bhoir from the Gardens Department and Arun Munde (engineer) from the Roads Department - for prima facie negligence regarding the tree collapse incident at Chembur on Tuesday afternoon, which claimed the life of an 11-year-old named Vihaan Shrivastava. The BMC has also decided to take action against the road contractor responsible for carrying out road work, amid allegations that the tree roots were damaged and cut during concreting work.
A senior civic official
âWhile the detailed inquiry will conclude within eight days, the deputy municipal commissioner in charge of the Gardens Department is submitting a quick report, and a decision to suspend officials concerned has been taken on the basis of prima facie findings. After the full-fledged enquiry, we will be able to determine the extent of negligence of officials concerned.'
Report in 8 days
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide constituted a committee to investigate the incident and submit a report within eight days. Bhide directed the formation of the panel - comprising Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malvade and Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore.
>> The committee has been directed to seek expert advice on the matter and make recommendations to prevent such incidents from recurring
>> BMC has also decided to conduct an additional audit of all trees in the city
A senior civic official
The initial examination of the tree has revealed a decayed trunk structure. However, it is not like the tree was dead. It was still green and sprouting leaves, which proves it was not a dying tree. Hence, a visual examination when the tree was rooted in the ground would not have been sufficient to reveal that there was a problem.
>> In January 2026, the assistant commissioner of the M West ward issued instructions to take necessary precautions following an inspection related to roadside works in the area
>> A survey of the tree had been completed on May 12, 2026
>> Visual inspection at the time indicated that the tree was sturdy and in good condition
>> The tree had been trimmed on May 29, in accordance with pre-monsoon procedures, and was found to be safe
>> 60 or 70-year-old peepal tree
>> Decay was noticed in the trunk near the centre of the roots
>> It was found that some roots were chopped during road concretisation work
>> During rains, the weight of a tree increases due to water absorption and retention
>> It came to a point where the tree could not bear its own weight, and it collapsed
>> When BMC trims trees, it removes dead wood or branches
>> If any fissures are spotted in the trunk, then a decision is taken to chop the tree
>> This is done with the approval of the tree authority (committee comprising elected representatives that votes on proposals received from the administration)
>> In 2026, 468 trees were identified as dead or dangerous and were subsequently removed
>> Branches of 1.00,318 trees were trimmed
The Gardens Department issued two notices to the Roads Department regarding road work around trees. The first was issued in January, pointing out that contractors had excavated too close to the tree roots.
2023: A total of 687 trees were uprooted; 180 in municipal areas and 507 in private areas
2024: A total of 653 trees fell; 171 in municipal areas and 482 in private areas
2025: A total of 855 trees were uprooted; 221 in municipal areas and 634 in private areas
[popcorn number="11 years" desc="Age of boy killed in incident" class="Default"]
