Residents of Bandra West have complained to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Bandra police regarding the alleged cutting of trees on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount for the construction of a shamiana (tent/pandal) for the Bandra Fair.

They alleged that the trees were first poisoned and then cut by a contractor engaged for the fair. The complaint was filed with the BMC and Mumbai police by Rupesh Gomes and John Manuel Fernandez, both residents of the area. While the civic body had granted permission to cut four trees on the church premises for fair-related preparations, residents alleged that the trees were deliberately poisoned by the contractor to ensure they could be completely felled.