Labourer dies as portion of Byculla building collapses

A labourer was killed and another injured when portion of a building undergoing redevelopment came crashing down in Byculla on Wednesday. Both the victims were engaged in the demolition work.

“The incident took place when the labourers were demolishing the gallery of one of the wing (618) of Laxmi building located outside Byculla railway station. We received a call at around 10.13am. We immediately rushed to the spot and brought out the two from under the debris. The two were rushed to BYL Nayar Hospital. While one of them was declared brought dead by the doctors, the other is being treated at the trauma centre,” a senior fire official said.

Officials of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), which gives NOC to redevelopment works of cessed buildings, and the BMC visited the spot. “We give nod for redevelopment works only after any proposal is certified by Mhada. As far as the particular building is concerned, we gave a green signal after finding that the work was being carried out as per norms.”

Meanwhile, the Agripada police have registered a case against developer Kshitija Infrastructure and contractor Ramzan Ali under sections 338 and 304 (causing negligence to death) of the IPC. “Ali has been arrested,” a police official said.

The deceased and the injured have been identified as Shaidulla Allahdish, alias Mukhlesh, and Ahmad Shaikh, 45, respectively, fire officials said.