Thane: A 64-year-old plumber who was critically injured after a roadside tree collapsed on him in Thane on Monday died during treatment on Thursday, becoming the first tree-fall casualty in Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) limits this monsoon. The death came a day after deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde announced “zero tolerance” towards rain-related fatalities in Thane and directed the civic administration to take immediate corrective measures.Shiv Sena corporator Vikas Repale said Pandurang Bhuvad suffered severe head and brain injuries after a tree fell on him near the RTO office in Louiswadi on Monday afternoon. He remained in critical condition for three days before succumbing to his injuries, he added.Bhuvad, the sole earning member of his family, is survived by his wife and four daughters. Neighbours said his daughters have been taking up odd jobs to support the household.“His wife, who had left home in the morning, called him around noon and asked him to return quickly due to the heavy rain. He had completed work at Vartak Nagar and was heading home when the tree fell on him,” said local Shiv Sena corporator Minal Sankhe. She has sought a job for a family member on compassionate grounds.Repale and Shiv Sena corporator Namrata Bhosale-Jadhav sought financial assistance from DCM Shinde for the bereaved family. Repale said Shiv Sena’s Thane unit would also provide financial support.The fatality has raised fresh concerns over tree safety in Thane city, with over 400 trees and 600 branches reportedly collapsing across the city during the recent spell of heavy rain, injuring three others, including a fireman.The incident also triggered a political row, with Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP accusing TMC’s garden department and tree authority of failing to conduct adequate pre-monsoon inspections and pruning of trees.“Scientific audits should have been conducted before the monsoon. Announcements after innocent lives are lost only show the apathy of the ruling party,” said Kedar Dighe, Thane president of Shiv Sena (UBT). BJP corporator Bharat Chavan alleged that over 28 lakh Thane residents faced the threat of falling trees and claimed fallen trees and branches still remained uncleared at several locations despite Shinde’s directives.Meanwhile, Mayor Sharmila Pimpalkar held a review meeting late Thursday, after which additional municipal commissioner Prashant Rode directed civic officials to complete surveys of dangerous trees and undertake urgent pruning or removal, wherever required.
