On Tuesday night in the lively area of Jalvayu Vihar, Powai, a dramatic event unfolded, that disrupted the usual flow of life. A massive tree, one among the many ancient ones lining inside the Jalvayu Vihar complex compound, unexpectedly fallen over, creating chaos and causing significant damage.
The incident happened on Tuesday, March 11, around 9pm when the towering tree, with its wide-spreading branches, suddenly lost its grip on the earth and crashed onto the road. Unfortunately, two auto rickshaws were caught in its path. The impact was severe, causing extensive damage to both vehicles and injuring one of the rickshaw drivers.
The driver, identified as 25-year-old Iftakhar Miyad, was left with a head injury from the accident. As soon as the news reached the authorities, emergency services sprang into action. The Mumbai fire brigade, along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) garden department, was quick to respond. After two hours of intense effort, they managed to clear the tree from the road, restoring some semblance of order to the area.
Local Shiv Sena shakha pramukh, Shiva Suryavanshi, shared insights into the prompt response. “The moment we received the alert, we reached out to the fire department and Mohite from the BMC garden team. Their swift action ensured the tree was removed efficiently,” he explained.
The incident caught the attention of local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Dilip Mama Lande, who visited the site to assess the situation firsthand. Concerned about the safety of residents and commuters, he instructed the BMC to expedite the trimming of potentially hazardous branches in the vicinity to prevent future mishaps.
“The two rickshaws involved in the accident, bearing the registration numbers MH 02 DK 8106 and MH 02 DK 2369, were en route towards Hiranandani when they were struck by the falling tree. The damage was undeniable, leaving the rickshaw drivers shaken,” told powai police.
They further added, “Iftakhar Miyad, the injured driver, received initial treatment for his head injury at Hiranandani Hospital before being transferred to Coopar Hospital for further medical care.”
The incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the need for vigilance, especially in areas with aging trees.
As the community comes to terms with the unexpected event, there’s a collective call for proactive measures to ensure the safety of all. The trimming of dangerous branches, as ordered by the MLA, is a step towards preventing similar incidents in the future.
Incidents like these highlight the importance of maintaining urban greenery while ensuring public safety. The balance between preserving nature and safeguarding lives is delicate but essential.
In the aftermath of the tree fall, the residents of Powai are left with stories to tell and lessons learned. The incident, though unfortunate, has sparked conversations about urban planning, safety measures, and the role of nature in city life. As life returns to normal, the community remains vigilant, hoping to prevent such occurrences in the future while cherishing the green canopy that adds character to their neighborhood.
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