After Chembur tragedy, Mumbai residents allege delayed action on dangerous tree complaints

The jackfruit tree in Borivli that residents complained about. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

In the wake of the recent Chembur tree collapse, residents across Mumbai have alleged that civic authorities are often informed about dangerous trees well before accidents occur, but complaints either receive delayed attention or go unanswered.

Several housing societies and local groups claim that repeated warnings about leaning trees, hanging branches, and weakened trunks were submitted through the BMC's ‘1916' Disaster Management Helpline and ward offices. However, residents say the response mechanism appears severely overburdened, especially during the monsoon.

Staff overburdened

Raju Rajpurohit at the spot in Borivli. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

"We have been cutting and clearing trees for the last four days, almost without any sleep. This is the reason we couldn't reach immediately. This year, there have been more instances of trees falling. We are swamped with work," said Raju Rajpurohit, hired by the BMC for trimming and cutting of trees, and the one who reached the Borivli spot on Thursday night.

‘No free service'

According to Vaishali, local residents were told that if they wanted the cut branches to be taken away, an additional payment would have to be made either through the ward office or privately. "Otherwise, the branches would be left on site," Vaishali said.

The BMC took a day to respond to the complaint in Santacruz. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Citizen Speak

Sanjay Patkar, Santacruz resident
‘We had called the BMC's disaster management helpline around 10 am on Thursday (July 2). But the only immediate thing that we received was the complaint number. No one was sent to cut the tree till 11 am on Friday. We had made two complaints - one about a fallen tree and another about the trimming of two huge trees. Neither of the two was attended to in 24 hours.'

Vaishali G, Borivli resident
‘Two huge branches of a jackfruit tree fell around 10.15 pm on Thursday. We immediately called 1916. People from the ward office came only around 12.20 am. Thankfully, no one was injured, and so such a delay didn't matter much. Also, the rain had subsided. However, if it had rained continuously and heavily, things could have got out of hand.'

Official Speak

Rohit Trivedi, ward officer, R North
‘If the tree is inside any housing society, then they need to pay specific charges. The charges differ based on the weight of debris or trees that need to be taken out. Only trimming and cutting of branches is done free of cost.'