Chembur tree fall incident: BMC report faces scrutiny of officials for clean cut
A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inquiry into a tree fall in Chembur that killed a child has concluded that the contractors are responsible and is testifying to its own officials from the Gardens and Roads Department recommending a mandatory tree root protection clause in all tenders.
But urban forestry experts say the findings overlook the shared responsibility of civic agencies and that a one-size-fits-all clause is neither practical nor sufficient to prevent future tree collapses.
On June 30, Vihaan Shrivastav died and several school children were injured after a Peepal tree fell on a school bus near Diamond Garden in Mumbai’s Chembur (West). It took one death for the BMC to form a panel and recommend implementing SOPs for tree pruning, regular “tree risk assessment” and a “GIS-based inventory” of all roadside trees.
“Tree risk assessment cannot be a post-tragedy ritual,” said B N Kumar of the NatConnect Foundation. He pointed out that it must be a systematic, scientific exercise conducted by a senior official of the rank of Additional Municipal Commissioner, directly subordinate to the Municipal Commissioner.
“In fact, the entire Mumbai metropolitan region needs a comprehensive GIS-based tree risk audit supported by certified arborists, with accountability set at the highest level. Climate Action Now starts with protecting our trees. If we fail to protect the city’s oldest natural infrastructure, all our climate resilience plans will remain empty promises,” he added.
The report submitted to Commissioner Ashwini Bhide recommends appointing tree experts while tree pruning work is going on, during concreting of roads, an area of 3 mx 3 m should be maintained on the asphalt surface near the base of the trees so that the trees can breathe and grow, and based on the principles established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the department implementing the project with the help of a tree consultant.
Recommendations and suggestions
The report’s 25-point recommendations include planting native trees, minimizing overconcretion and maintaining sufficient permeable soil in the “critical root zone” (main root area), scientific tree pruning by certified personnel, and more.
The proposals also call for a coordination mechanism between the engineering, roads, SWD, garden and utility departments for infrastructure projects, with a dedicated nodal officer overseeing tree protection.
An Implementation Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be developed and implemented for inspection, maintenance, pruning and semi-annual safety audits of city trees. Inspection reports should be reviewed and confirmed by appropriate department heads along with an independent tree expert as indicated in the report.
The report states that public awareness needs to be strengthened through educational campaigns and hands-on training for contractors, supervisors and field workers involved in urban tree management.
To address the consistency of supervision of the work, the report proposes to appoint a “Registered Empaneled Tree Expert” by the Garden Department to facilitate business at the site. Therefore, for the possibility of fungus on trees, fungus prevention measures should be implemented as a preventive measure, just as pesticides are used. According to the concept of Vrikshmitra, these trees should be cared for, cultivated and helped in the conservation of trees by the tree lovers of the respective areas.
The horticulture department should also develop an application system for people to inform them about weak trees.
The controversial proposal follows the municipal commissioner’s July 3 circular on “Maintenance of Existing Trees in Infrastructure Reconstruction,” which states: “When constructing roads, sidewalks or stormwater drains, a clear space of 0.3 meters to 1 meter shall be maintained around the trunk of each existing tree. Where the tree trunk is small, a minimum distance of 1 meter shall be maintained. 0.3 meters shall be maintained.”
Terming it unscientific and harmful, environmentalist Stalin D. of the Vanshakti Foundation said, “Such shallow bowls of trees mean that water collects under the base and loosens the soil. This destroys the structural stability and the tree is unable to balance itself. We urge you to urgently withdraw the circular and issue a circular based on scientific facts.”
Is punishment enough?
A committee comprising Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malvade and Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore and Horticulture and Landscape Consultant Robert Fernandes, constituted on July 3, proposed to impose a fine of ₹ 5 lakh on the contractor Gawar Construction Limited and ₹ 2 lakh on the end of Mahimgence Consultant and BMC, which is behind Mahimgence Gardens. Road Department.
Experts cast doubt on the panel, saying the internal investigation, which gave a clean chit to his own department, raises more questions than it answers.
“In a tragedy that has claimed the life of a child, transparency cannot be sacrificed for institutional comfort. Such an inquiry should have been entrusted to an independent external agency so that the findings create public confidence and not suspicion,” said Mr. BN Kumar.
The version questions the credibility of the internal probe and shifts the focus to systemic reform.
The commission of inquiry on Monday (July 13, 2026) submitted its report to the Municipal Commissioner Ms. Ashwini Bhide.
The report’s findings indicate that rainfall recorded at the Chembur accident site averaged 62.80 mm on 28 June 2026, 71.6 mm on 29 June and 13.6 mm by 30 June 2026, the time of the tree fall. The wind speed was also 25.7 km/h at the time the tree fell. According to data received from the Emergency Management Cell, about 1,158 trees/branches fell in Mumbai city during the period of heavy rains from June 28 to July 5. These trees are not only on both sides of roads but also include trees in societies, parks, open lands and open spaces.
“Monsoon itself is not to blame for the tree falling, it’s just to save the culprits who burden nature. No big tree in the world can survive and stay safe in a meter deep and wide space. Big trees and even medium-sized trees largely depend on lateral roots that spread halfway or more into the drip zone of the tree crown,” said Foundersh Barai, which helps anchor the trees at the same time, Foundersh Barai. Environment Life Foundation.
Published – 15 Jul 2026 13:20 IST