Mumbai is set to implement significant reforms in its tree protection policies following the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy in a tree collapse incident. A committee appointed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed making contractors and civic departments liable for safeguarding trees, particularly their root systems, during infrastructure projects. This initiative aims to prevent future fatalities and protect the city’s urban greenery.
New Tender Clauses Proposed for Contractor Accountability
In the wake of the fatal Chembur tree collapse that claimed the life of 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava, an internal committee formed by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has recommended a fundamental shift in how infrastructure projects are managed. The committee’s report, submitted late on Thursday, suggests that all future civic infrastructure tenders must include stringent clauses holding contractors and the executing departments responsible for the upkeep and protection of trees. This includes a specific focus on ensuring the integrity of tree root systems throughout the duration of any project.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the committee was constituted after a series of tree collapses across the city, with the June 30 incident in Chembur serving as a critical catalyst. The committee was tasked with submitting its recommendations within eight days to prevent similar tragedies. The proposed tender clauses aim to address the recurring issue of tree root damage, which is often cited as a primary cause of tree instability and subsequent collapse, especially during adverse weather conditions.
Rising Tree Fall Incidents and Environmental Concerns
Data from the BMC reveals a concerning trend of increasing tree-fall incidents. Nearly 1,200 trees reportedly fell across Mumbai in the first week of July alone. Between 2023 and July 5, 2026, at least 11 people have died in tree-collapse incidents, a stark increase compared to the four deaths recorded between 2020 and 2022. Environmentalists and urban ecologists have long pointed to the extensive concretisation around tree bases as a major contributing factor to the weakening of root systems. They argue that this practice restricts root expansion, reduces soil moisture, and leads to internal dehydration of trees, making them more vulnerable.
The BMC’s own Tree Authority guidelines advocate for maintaining sufficient open soil around tree bases during infrastructure works, a norm that activists claim is frequently violated. The recent incident in Chembur, where a preliminary inspection revealed that the core roots of the collapsed tree had weakened, has amplified these concerns. Environmentalists emphasize that Mumbai needs to move from reactive tree management to a more preventive approach, which includes mandatory root-zone protection during construction, scientific pruning, regular health assessments, and better inter-departmental coordination.
Official Action and Calls for Systemic Reform
In response to the Chembur tragedy, the BMC has taken immediate action. Three officials—Jagdish Bhoir, assistant garden superintendent of M-West ward; Arun Mundhe, sub-engineer from its roads and traffic department, M-West ward; and Yogesh Parte, assistant engineer of M-East ward—have been suspended pending departmental inquiries. The civic body stated that officials against whom prima facie negligence was established have been suspended, and strict action will also be taken against the contractor responsible for the road works in the area. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has also directed officials to conduct a fresh inspection of hazardous trees across the city and ensure potentially dangerous ones are identified and made safe before further heavy monsoon spells.
A two-member committee, comprising Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malavde and Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore, has been constituted to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures. The committee is expected to submit its report within eight days. During a BMC standing committee meeting, corporators from various parties demanded accountability, an independent inquiry, and systemic reforms in Mumbai’s tree management, with some even calling for a culpable homicide case against officials found responsible.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, while addressing the media, acknowledged the increase in tree-fall incidents but attributed them primarily to strong winds and other factors, refuting claims that concrete roads were the sole cause. She announced that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be implemented to ensure that tree roots are not affected during the construction of footpaths and the laying of utilities. The civic body plans to consult tree experts to refine these measures, aiming to strike a balance between infrastructure development and the preservation of Mumbai’s vital urban ecology amidst increasingly intense weather events.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
