Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Chembur Tree Collapse Prompts Mumbai Urban Forest Policy
A tree fell on a school bus in Chembur on June 30, killing 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava.
A committee is studying what happened and how to reduce the risk of similar events.
It plans to give Mumbai’s municipal corporation four reports.
One report looks at the facts of the collapse, and three suggest policies to protect the city’s trees.
Two reports have already been handed in.
The other two are expected by October 10.
One proposed policy would explain how civic departments should manage the city’s trees.
Another set of guidelines is meant to help officials manage disasters after they happen.
An 11-year-old, Vihaan Srivastava, died when a peepal tree fell on his school bus in Chembur on June 30.
An independent committee investigating the collapse will submit four reports to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The reports include a fact-finding document and three policy documents focused on preserving and protecting Mumbai’s green cover.
Two reports have been submitted; the remaining two are expected to reach civic chief Ashwini Bhide by October 10.
The draft urban forest policy would set out responsibilities for civic departments, while submitted guidelines address post-calamity management.
- Who
- Vihaan Srivastava, an 11-year-old boy, was killed; an independent committee is investigating the collapse.
- What
- The committee will submit four reports, including an urban forest management policy and post-calamity management guidelines.
- When
- The tree collapsed on June 30; the remaining two reports are expected by October 10.
- Where
- Chembur, Mumbai.
- Why
- The committee’s policy work is intended to protect Mumbai’s green cover and help prevent similar tree-related disasters.
- Victim
- Vihaan Srivastava, 11
- Incident
- A peepal tree collapsed on a school bus
- Incident date
- June 30
- Committee reports
- Four in total: one fact-finding report and three policy documents
- Reports submitted
- Two
- Expected deadline
- The remaining two reports are expected by October 10
- Recipient
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation