Building collapse on Forus Road in Kamathipura sparked blame game between the BMC and Mhada on Saturday with both authorities pointing fingers at each other for the responsibility of the accident.
Mhada claimed that the excavation of about more than two feet of road was the reason for the collapse of over 100-year-old building. “Road excavation work by the BMC was in progress adjacent to the collapsed building.
Vibrators were used for excavation of existing road, which may have caused the collapse. There was sudden collapse without showing any sign of distress,” said the collapse report prepared by the Mhada official from the spot.
Residents of neighbouring building number 91 and 98 claimed that even their building was way too old and in dire need of repair work. Two years ago, Gulmohar building had started showing signs of damage. “Ceilings and roofs were popping out and the wooden columns had also given away. Occupants were pleading for the repairs but MHADA never bothered until MLA and MLC were approached. Work of only Rs3 lakh was approved,” said a resident lamenting the MHADA's claim that building wasn't in dilapidated state.
However, chief fire officer Pratap Rahangdale said the building was in dilapidated state and had collapsed like a heap of powder dust. “So much so that even the walls of neigbouring building was in precarious condition with huge cracks posing risk to rescuers. We used our latest search cameras and sensors in suspected areas first to spot the trapped victims and then used JCB machines to excavate the mangled remains,” said Rahangdale.
Sanjay Jadhav, executive engineer from Mhada stressed that building was not dilapidated. However, he said that after this incident authorities will inspect all the buildings in the area.
“Structural audit of all the old buildings are underway with the help of the BMC. This was a residential building used for commercial purposes. Labourers were working in a unit during the day and were staying there during the night. They also cooked food here,” said Jadhav.
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