Mumbai, July 1: The Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, Ashwini Bhide, has ordered the formation of a committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident where a peepal tree fell on a school bus near Diamond Garden in Chembur West. The committee will be led by Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Purushottam Malwade and Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore. Commissioner Bhide has instructed the committee to submit its report within eight days and to consult experts on the matter. The committee is also tasked with making recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future.
On June 30, 2026, around 2:30 PM, a peepal tree located by the roadside fell onto a bus from Universal High School, which was passing near the Haritaj Pritam Building on Road Number 11, Diamond Garden, Chembur West. A total of 13 children were trapped inside the bus. Fortunately, 12 of them were rescued quickly by the Mumbai Fire Department, the bus driver, and local residents, and were sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. Four out of five students sustained minor injuries, while 11-year-old Vihaan Srivastava was admitted in critical condition. Unfortunately, doctors later declared him dead.
Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has taken serious note of this incident and established an investigation committee. The committee is expected to present its findings within eight days and is required to seek expert advice. Additionally, recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in Mumbai are also expected from the committee.
The fallen peepal tree was estimated to be 60 to 70 years old, and no official public complaints regarding the tree had been received prior to this incident. However, in January 2026, the Assistant Commissioner of M West Division had instructed inspections of roadside works in the area and emphasized the need for caution. A survey of the fallen tree was completed on May 12, 2026, and external inspections indicated that the tree was in good condition and strong. Furthermore, as per the customary practice before the monsoon, the tree was pruned on May 29, 2026, and was found to be safe at that time.
As part of pre-monsoon activities, the Parks Department of the Municipal Corporation prunes trees every year with caution. In 2026, 468 trees were identified as dead and dangerous, and all were removed. Additionally, 131,8 branches of trees were pruned. However, incidents of tree falls continue to occur in the municipal area for various reasons.
In 2023, a total of 687 trees fell, with 180 in the municipal area and 507 in private areas. In 2024, 653 trees fell, including 171 in the municipal area and 482 in private areas. In 2025, 855 trees fell, with 221 in the municipal area and 634 in private areas.
To prevent a recurrence of incidents like the one in Chembur, Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has ordered the pruning of dangerous trees and periodic re-inspections. Necessary actions regarding the care and maintenance of hazardous trees have also been directed.
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