Bandra residents complain to BMC, police, alleging contractor overshot civic approval and poisoned, cut down trees for the fair
The trees that residents say were allegedly poisoned (right) The shamiana that is being erected for the fair. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Residents of Bandra West have complained to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bandra police regarding the alleged cutting of trees on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount for the construction of a shamiana (tent/pandal) for the Bandra Fair.
They alleged that the trees were first poisoned and then cut by a contractor engaged for the fair. The complaint was filed with the BMC and Mumbai police by Rupesh Gomes and John Manuel Fernandez, both residents of the area. While the civic body had granted permission to cut four trees on the church premises for fair-related preparations, residents alleged that the trees were deliberately poisoned by the contractor to ensure they could be completely felled.
In his complaint letter, a copy of which is with mid-day, Gomes said, “This is to bring to your notice a matter of grave concern regarding the cutting of trees in Mount Mary Church, Bandra West. This activity took place on August 30, 2025 at 10.55 am and has caused significant harm to the local environment.”
Speaking to mid-day, Gomes said, “We are concerned that more trees will be cut under the pretext of being dead and useless, especially because we strongly suspect the contractor poisoned them. When we approached the BMC, we were told that permission is not granted to cut trees down to ground level. These trees were poisoned by the contractor. We are surprised that this may be happening with the knowledge or permission of the church administration.”
In his complaint, Gomes also said, “It has been observed that nearby trees are dying too. These trees were poisoned earlier, killed, and finally cut down to ground level.”
Authorities speak
According to the BMC, permission was granted to cut a total of four trees as they had been declared dead. A BMC official from the H West ward told mid-day, “We have decided to inspect the complaint after the Bandra Fair is over. We don’t want to interrupt a religious gathering, as permission was already granted to cut these trees, which were dead at the time of approval. An inspection will be carried out after the festival, and a course of action will be decided based on our findings. BMC does not give permission to cut dead trees below four feet in height, to ensure citizen safety.”
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