3 days ago
Chembur Tree Collapse Report Gets Another Extension After Child’s Death
A large Peepal tree fell onto a school bus in Chembur on June 30.
Eleven-year-old Vihan Shrivastav died, and four other children were hurt.
An initial committee examined what happened and largely cleared municipal departments.
It did, however, fine contractors for negligence.
Mumbai’s elected civic body did not accept that conclusion.
It wanted officials and engineers to be examined for possible responsibility.
A new committee led by Dr Sanjay Deshmukh was then appointed.
The committee has asked for more time to study the evidence and will submit its report in the coming days.
A one-member expert committee has received another extension to submit its report on the Chembur tree collapse.
The June 30 incident killed 11-year-old Vihan Shrivastav and injured four other children on a school bus.
The committee’s initial deadline was August 30, later moved to September 30, with the report now expected within days.
A preliminary inquiry cleared the roads and garden department prima facie but fined contractors for negligence.
The BMC general body rejected that report and ordered an independent re-investigation into responsibility and the incident’s causes.
- Who
- Eleven-year-old Vihan Shrivastav was killed, four children were injured, and a committee led by Dr Sanjay Deshmukh is reviewing the incident.
- What
- A roadside Peepal tree collapsed onto a school bus, prompting a further extension for an expert investigation report.
- Where
- Chembur, Mumbai.
- When
- The tree collapse occurred on June 30, 2026; the report was expected after September 30 and is now anticipated within a few days.
- Why
- The BMC general body rejected the preliminary report and sought a fresh examination of the causes and responsibility for the collapse.
Preliminary Inquiry Findings
BMC General Body’s Reinvestigation Demand
Responsibility for the collapse
Preliminary Inquiry Findings
The two-member preliminary committee gave the roads and garden department a prima facie clean chit and fined contractors for negligence.
BMC General Body’s Reinvestigation Demand
The BMC general body rejected the preliminary report because it found no action had been taken against the officers or engineers responsible.
Scope of review
Preliminary Inquiry Findings
The preliminary inquiry assessed the incident and assigned negligence-related penalties to contractors.
BMC General Body’s Reinvestigation Demand
The new expert committee is independently examining the evidence, the inquiry’s methodology, the root cause, and possible policy reforms across areas including engineering, botany, ecology, drainage, soil science and public administration.
Key facts
- Incident date
- June 30, 2026
- Location
- Chembur, Mumbai
- Fatality
- 11-year-old Vihan Shrivastav
- Other casualties
- Four children injured
- Committee chair
- Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, former Mumbai University Vice Chancellor
- Original deadline
- August 30
- Latest status
- Report not submitted; expected within a few days
Quotes
Ashwini Bhide
Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai
“The report is not submitted yet. It is expected in a few days.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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