Mumbai school bus tree collapse sparks row over Minister Sanjay Shirsat remarks

A school bus in Chembur, Mumbai, was hit by a falling peepal tree, killing 11-year-old Vihan Srivastava and injuring four others. Maharashtra Cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat faced criticism after comments on the incident, then said he was misquoted and that the civic body should have trimmed trees earlier.

Maharashtra cabinet minister Sanjay Shirsat faced criticism after remarks on a fatal tree fall in Mumbai. The comments followed the death of a school student in Chembur. Shirsat later said the words were taken out of context. Shirsat also said civic officials should have acted earlier to reduce such risks.

Eleven-year-old student Vihan Srivastava died after a peepal tree crashed onto a school bus. The incident happened in suburban Chembur at around 3 pm on Tuesday. Four other children were injured, including a four-year-old girl. The bus carried 13 Universal High School students home when the tree fell.

Sanjay Shirsat remarks on tree fall and civic action

When asked about the tragedy on Tuesday, Shirsat said, "How was one to know that the tree was going to fall? Falling of a tree or lightning is not in our hands. Maybe there were heavy winds.\" The statement drew backlash from Opposition parties. Critics said the government should have focused on safety before the monsoon.

On Wednesday, Shirsat told reporters the remarks were misunderstood and incomplete. Shirsat said, \"This was a very unfortunate incident. I had said that even though falling of trees is natural, civic authorities should take due precautions. Trees which are about to collapse should be removed before the onset of monsoon,\" Shirsat said. Shirsat also alleged that some people tried to misquote him.

Shirsat added that civic agencies should not ignore warnings linked to weak trees. Shirsat said, \"All I had said was that even if the falling of a tree was due to natural causes, the civic body should have taken proper care. The trees should have been trimmed well in advance. Such warnings cannot be ignored in the name of conserving nature. Otherwise, more such incidents will happen again, he said.\" Shirsat said the state remained concerned.

Opposition response to Sanjay Shirsat remarks and monsoon preparedness

Congress leader Nana Patole criticised Shirsat and the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Patole said the remarks showed arrogance within the ruling alliance. Patole alleged that monsoon planning existed only on paper. NCP SP leader Clyde Crasto also criticised Shirsat. Crasto called the remarks shameful and insensitive.

Crasto argued that the death could not be treated as a routine natural event. Crasto said tree audits and regular upkeep should have happened before the monsoon. Patole also raised the issue in the legislative assembly. Patole asked the government to make a statement. In the legislative council, Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap sought a discussion in the House.

BMC scrutiny after Sanjay Shirsat remarks and Chembur incident

The issue was discussed in the legislative assembly on Wednesday. Members blamed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, or BMC, for the incident. Ruling Shiv Sena members Tukaram Kate and Murji Patel attacked the civic body. Kate, the MLA from Chembur, said similar accidents had happened earlier in the same area.

Kate said civic warnings were repeated but action did not follow. Kate said, \"I have been repeatedly calling the civic officials to take precautionary measures, but in vain, he said.\" Patel urged support for the boy’s family and for injured students. Patel said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was giving Rs 2.5 lakh to the family.

Patel also referred to a separate tree fall in Marol, in Andheri’s western suburb. Patel demanded an immediate tree survey to address the wider risk. Shirsat said tree audits were conducted on a regular basis. Shirsat also said the state would make a statement during the ongoing monsoon session of the legislature.

Shirsat said the Mumbai civic body was instructed to take steps to prevent repeats. In the council, Bhai Jagtap said the BMC held records for each tree. Jagtap said the garden and tree department had full history and details. Jagtap said the BMC could not hide the issue. The incident kept pressure on officials to act.

With inputs from PTI