After a 63-year-old man died after a tree branch fell on him in Mumbai’s Kurla, Mayor Ritu Tawde has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victim’s family and ordered an audit of trees across the city.
According to BMC, the incident took place in Naupada area of Kurla (West) on Sunday afternoon, when a tree branch suddenly fell on a shop, killing resident Yunus Kundawala. On receiving information about the incident, Mayor Tawde visited the spot, inspected the spot and reviewed the situation with civic officials.
Mayor announced compensation, ordered investigation
“We will not support the municipal administration in any wrongdoing. An inquiry will be conducted to find out why it was ignored. As of now, we have announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the family, and as mayor, I along with the entire BMC stand in solidarity with them,” she told ANI.
The Mumbai Mayor further demanded an audit of all trees in Mumbai and urged people to go out only when necessary. “Audit of trees is really necessary. As mayor, I held a review meeting to get all trees in the BMC area audited, including trees along CC (cement concrete) roads and old trees of 50-60 years or more in the city. We have also ordered an audit to check the covers and safety grills of all manholes,” Tawde said.
He further said, “The current weather conditions include heavy rains, strong winds and high tide; these conditions have persisted since yesterday. I had appealed to Mumbaikars this morning to go out only when absolutely necessary and avoid unnecessary travel. What has happened is very sad, and we stand with the family.”
Tawde said, “I visited the Coastal Road area yesterday. People go to the seashore for recreation; I saw children being made to sit on the sea walls. It is extremely dangerous. With high tide, it is unsafe to go there; it is best to avoid such places as much as possible. There are strong winds and high tides, so do not go out without any reason unless necessary. I am monitoring the catchment areas daily.”
Strict instructions for pruning trees
The civic body said Tawde also interacted with local residents, heard their complaints and directed the municipal administration to immediately conduct an audit of trees in Kurla, surrounding areas and entire Mumbai. “In the backdrop of the monsoon season, to ensure that such accidents do not recur, she has given strict instructions to the municipal administration to immediately conduct a tree survey (tree audit) in Kurla and surrounding areas as well as across Mumbai and undertake pruning of trees on a war footing wherever necessary. Mayor Smt. Ritu Tawde assured that no negligence in matters of citizen safety will be tolerated,” the BMC said in an ex-post.
Local councilor and Chairman of Public Health Committee Harish Bhandge, Councilor Nitesh Singh, Municipal Corporation officials and local police personnel were present in this inspection.
Former mayor raised questions on administration
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar questioned the preparedness of the civic administration and demanded accountability over the incident. Speaking to ANI, Pednekar said, “The court has strongly criticized the situation and said that merely giving compensation after death is not enough; more efforts should be made beforehand, which is currently lacking… Moreover, a case should be registered against the officials responsible for the CC road construction as well as the contractor involved. Meanwhile, the hospital authorities accept the incident and say that they are looking into the matter.”
Heavy rain lashed Mumbai throughout the day, while high tide was observed at Marine Drive and Gateway of India. (ANI)
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