Trim trees in your society or pay Rs 5,000 as penalty……Urvashi Seth
BMC sends notices to 500 housing societies to act within a fortnight
BMC sends notices to 500 housing societies to act within a fortnight
Does your housing society have trees that need trimming? If so, it’s time to act.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) garden department has sent notices to 500 housing societies, especially in the wake of recent tree collapses which drew flak for the BMC.
The BMC has given a 15-day deadline to societies to prune overgrown trees or cough up Rs 5,000 as penalty.
Nearly four cases of tree collapse in housing societies were reported in the city over the last two months.
The most recent case was that of a Kalina resident, Anne Fernandes (37), who sustained grievous injuries
when a tree collapsed on her.
when a tree collapsed on her.
The BMC had said it would consider paying compensation to Fernandes who underwent surgery due to a spinal injury caused by the mishap.
Survey in wards
“Yes, we have sent notices to more than 500 housing societies across Mumbai.
Failure to take action will invite penalty,” Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Gardens) Chandrakant Rokde said. “Many societies have failed to prune trees.
After a ward-wise survey, we blacklisted 500 societies where trees need immediate pruning.”
Rokde said the sweltering summer heat and subsequent rains had weakened roots of trees, causing tree falls.
Rokde said the BMC does not have direct authority to prune trees which are on the premises of housing societies.
Rokde said the BMC does not have direct authority to prune trees which are on the premises of housing societies.
“But the BMC Act, 1881 allows us to survey private premises and order owners to trim trees,” he said.
“If they do not comply, we will trim the trees and collect the cost of pruning from the society concerned, besides slapping the penalty.”
“Such small steps can help save precious lives.” said Tree Authority member Niranajan Shetty.
Root of Tragedy
Rahim Shaikh (50) died after a tree collapsed on him at the GPO on September 8.
Kandivli resident Tamanna Bhojani (30) fractured her backbone in another tree collapse in August.
St Xavier’s College student Antara Telang (18) lost her leg when a tree fell on her July 24.
Kandivli resident Tamanna Bhojani (30) fractured her backbone in another tree collapse in August.
St Xavier’s College student Antara Telang (18) lost her leg when a tree fell on her July 24.
4 – The number of accidents due to tree collapse in the last three months
Rs 1 lakh – The amount BMC will pay to the kin of those who died after a tree collapsed on them.
15 days – The number of days within which the BMC has directed recipients of the notice to act
* Though the BMC has no direct authority to prune trees planted on private premises it can survey such premises and order owners to trim trees