One more crushed under tree

Nikhil Kamdar (38) died and Shah Nawab Shaikh (19), a rickshaw driver, was injured on Monday when a tree came crashing down on them at Cama Park Parsi Colony at Andheri (W).

Nikhil Kamdar (38) died and Shah Nawab Shaikh (19), a rickshaw driver, was injured on Monday when a tree came crashing down on them at Cama Park Parsi Colony at Andheri (W).

HT Image

Hindustan Times has been running a series of reports since August on dangerously growing trees and falling branches that have claimed three lives and injured 13 people since June. About 1,600 tree collapses and 130 cases of falling branches have been reported in the same period.

Kamdar and Shaikh were rushed to BSES MG Hospital, where Kamdar succumbed to his injuries. Shaikh was discharged in the evening.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it was not liable to pay them compensation as the tree was on private property. The compensation policy covers only those injured or killed by falling trees and branches on public property.

RB Pawar, K West Ward officer, said the tree was inside a compound. “Hence, the BMC is not liable,” he added.