Ghatkopar building collapse: Maha CM announces compensation, promises structural audit of old structures

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of 17 people who died in Tuesday’s building collapse in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area.

Responding to queries raised by the opposition in Vidan Sabha, Fadnavis announced that the state government would sponsor the medical treatment for those who sustained injuries during the incident. He also announced that those who have suffered major injuries leading to permanent disability would be compensated with Rs 1 lakh each.

Replying during a 258-minute debate on adjournment motion moved by the opposition, Fadnavis said that there was no complaint from anyone regarding the construction work on ground floor of the building. He however said that the photographs of the spot clearly show that beam and column of the building had cracks and that could be the main reason of building collapse.  He also ruled out any action on BMC officials at least till inquiry report was availed.

Fadnavis, however, reiterated that those found guilty after the inquiry would be dealt with stringently and FIR against them would be filed by considering it as culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Fadnavis informed that the permission for running nursing home by changing the flat use from residential was given in 2009. He informed the House that the permission to close down Nursing Home was given on July 17, 2017.

The building, Sai Prasad society, housed 9 families with a total of 46 people including men, women and children. 17 people had died in the collapse.

He also said that the collapsed structure would be rebuilt as early as possible. He said that the Government and BMC would help in the redevelopment of this building.

During the debate, the chief minister also announced that structural audits would be conducted in city buildings that are over 30 years old. “The BMC ward officers would be responsible for conducting such audits,” he informed.

During the four-hour debate, Fadnavis also announced that building permission processes in all municipal corporations would be made online. “The module adopted by the BMC for providing building permissions online should be adopted by other municipalities,” the CM stressed.

Pointing out that many members had raised the issue of permissions for repair works, Fadnavis announced that such permissions would be provided online within 24 hours. He informed that after discussing the matter with the BMC Commissioner, it has been decided that if an applicant provides certification from an authorised RCC consultant or architect, then such permissions would be given within 24 hours.   

Informing that the BMC has adopted digitisation, Fadnavis said that the buildings which have completed 30 years would be able to receive an auto-generated notice for audit. He informed that directives have been issued to the civic body and monitoring would be done through ward officers.

Saying that many members have expressed the need for redevelopment of all old delapidated buildings,

Fadnavis said that the new development plan of Mumbai would have separate provision for such redevelopment.