Killed due to MMRDA negligence

Badlapur residents Rajesh Kamble, 23, and Milind Gaikwad, 36, were killed on the spot when a rain-tree (above, left) on LBS Marg, Mulund, collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rains on Monday evening. Seen next to the tree is a trench dug up by the MMRDA, which the BMC says disturbed the tree's balance


BMC and the families of the two men who were crushed under an uprooted tree on LBS Marg, Mulund, late Monday evening believe that MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) has blood on its hand.



Immediately after the MMDRA dug up trenches on LBS Marg early this year to construct a nullah, disturbing the balance of many old trees and leaving their roots exposed, BMC officials had called up MMRDA and asked its officials to closely examine the trees and if necessary, cut them down.



Just three months ago, BMC had dashed off as many as five letters to the MMRDA saying the trees would collapse in the rains. "We also attached pictures of the trees to highlight how dangerous the situation was," says assistant municipal commissioner in-charge of T-Ward P R Masurkar.



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