Mumbai rains: Youth killed by falling tree on day he was to join new job in Vikhroli

Tejas Naidu with his father Venkatesh and sister Namrata. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Twenty-six-year-old Tejas Naidu was happily telling his friends about his new job, when the tree they were standing under in a Vikhroli garden suddenly fell on him, killing him. His father, Venkatesh Naidu, said, "His friends called and said that they were taking Tejas to hospital as a tree had fallen on him. Moments later they called to tell us the doctors had declared him brought-dead." Tejas was to join work on Monday but postponed it owing to the heavy rain.

Malhar Shitole, a childhood friend of Tejas, said, "We heard a cracking sound just before the tree fell. We moved away immediately, but Tejas didn't manage to. The tree fell onto his neck, injuring his head and back. It was horrific to see our friend in so much pain."

Ganesh Maidan in Vikhroli, where the incident took place on Monday

What makes the incident even more heartbreaking is that Tejas was scheduled to join a multinational firm on the very day the tragedy struck. However, due to heavy rains on Monday, his joining date had been postponed to May 28 - a twist of fate that has left his family and friends devastated. "He had completed his Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) and was multi-talented. He was working with another firm in Ghatkopar till a few days back and had got a better job offer from this new firm. He was super excited to start this new chapter," said Tejas's cousin.

Blaming the authorities, Tejas's older sister, Namrata Naidu, said, "This happened only because of BMC's negligence. Had the BMC trimmed the trees on time, I would not have lost my brother. I hope the corporation wakes up at least now so that more people do not lose their lives."

Civic workers carrying out tree trimming operations after the incident. Pics/Dweep Bane

Meanwhile, mid-day learnt that some local residents and political leaders had written letters to the BMC requesting the trimming of trees over a month ago. "We had written to the BMC almost one-and-a-half months ago and asked civic officials to trim the trees as early as possible, as pre-monsoon rains had begun in April. We had also mentioned that the trees have become hollow from the inside as the decorators, when the ground is given for various events, hammer nails in these trees to hang banners and decorations," said Vishwajit Dholam, MNS leader from Vikhroli.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for better maintenance and monitoring of trees in public spaces, especially during the monsoon season when the risk of tree fall increases significantly. As the family prepares to cremate their only son, Tejas's father stated, "If the requests made through these letters had been taken seriously and immediate measures initiated, I wouldn't have lost my old age support… my only son!"