A very old tree inside a society collapsed onto the Marol Military Road in Andheri East around 12 pm on Wednesday. The tree had been recognised as a fall risk by the society in late January. After obtaining permission for trimming of the tree in early February, due to a lack of knowledge on how to proceed and untrained workers, the tree was left standing till July 1, when it fell due to the heavy rain.

‘Residents are also at fault’

Pramod Sawant, corporator, Ward 75 (Marol, Andheri East) said, “They should have approached the BMC or local corporator to get guidance on how to proceed with the tree felling. One of the elderly residents of the society contacted me today and told me that they were going to approach me today about the tree, but the tree fell before they could do so.”