MUMBAI: A nearly 200-year-old tree toppled from the compound of Abhilasha Sadan, a seven-storey residential building at the junction of Pali Hill and Zig Zag Road, around 1 pm on Sunday, triggering a chain reaction that brought down two other trees.
The fallen trees damaged the compound wall, damaged a parked car and blocked Dev Anand Road for nearly an hour. No injuries were reported. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) later cleared the trees and restored traffic movement.
“The tree had been pruned around two years ago and was well maintained. We suspect strong winds and softened soil due to the recent rains caused it to collapse,” said George Verghese, secretary of the housing society.
Verghese said the society regularly undertakes tree maintenance and will now intensify inspections and pruning of trees within the premises. He added that another weakened tree in the compound had been cut down in May, leaving behind a six-foot stump in accordance with civic regulations.
Shamlata Bhatia, chairperson of the society, said she was saddened by the incident and estimated that the fallen tree was nearly 200 years old.
