Death due to indifference of BMC, claim relatives

Mumbai: Relatives of tree collapse victims have alleged that deaths are taking place due to apathetic nature of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials as they are turning deaf ear to citizens' complaints. There should be a competent independent authority to probe such cases so that guilty officials are punished, they have said.

Rajat Nath, husband of Kanchan Nath, who died due to tree collapse at Chembur, said, “There is a need to fix the accountability. How can BMC officials give themselves a clean chit when they are accused of committing mistake? This is very contradictory. There should a competent authority to hold inquiry in such cases.”

Ms Nath (58), a former TV anchor and yoga instructor, was returning home from work in Chembur On July 20, when a coconut tree fell on her as she walked down on Sant Venkaiah Marg. The upper portion of the coconut palm came crashing down on her and she collapsed under its weight.

However, in an inquiry report, the BMC said there was no negligence on the part of garden department officials and gave a clean chit to them. The incident happened when the wind speed was high and the tree collapsed due to that, said the report.

“I myself provided videos to BMC officials showing that there was no wind and breeze, when the tree collapse happened. The fact was that the tree was in dilapidated condition. But the BMC officials certified that it is perfectly okay. Because of their apathetic nature, my wife died,” said Mr Nath.

Chembur witnessed another tree fall death when 45-year old woman Sharada Ghodeswar lost her life after a tree fell on her at Diamond Garden. The woman was sitting at a bus stop when a tree came crashing down on her.

“This time they will blame Ockhi cyclone claiming that it caused the tree collapse. They can do anything to save their skins. Let there be an independent investigation to fix the accountability in such cases,” said Mr Nath.

Tree collapse victims

On July 20, a tree fell on Kanchan Rajat Nath, 57, a former TV anchor, while she was returning home from yoga classes at Kurla road, Chembur (East). The woman suCcumbed to her injuries two days later.

On December 7, 45-year old woman Sharada Ghodeswar lost her life after a tree fell on her at Diamond Garden, Chembur. The woman was sitting at a bus stop when a tree came crashing down on her.

On July 1, a 14-year-old son of a Navy Colonel, Rahul Vipin Kumar, died in the vicinity of Navy Nagar after a tree collapsed and fell on him. The boy was walking on the road while talking on the phone.

On June 6, a 45-year-old auto driver Rajaram Yadav suffered serious injuries and died after the tree fell on his vehicle. After the incident he was immediately rushed to Shatabdi Municipal Hospital .