3 reasons why Mahim building fell

In an official report submitted to the municipal commissioner, the BMC has hinted at three possibilities that could have led to the collapse of Altaf Mansion in Mahim.

The report was handed over to BMC chief Sitaram Kunte after the completion of rescue operations. “The report has highlighted and pointed out all the facts pertaining to the building,” said a senior civic official.

“Apart from the weak structure and reported alterations in the basement and ground floor, we have also mentioned of a water tank and hoarding on top of the building,” said the official.

He said it will be checked if permission was taken to instal the tank. “Prima facie, it seems that the tank and the hoarding might have increased the load on the already weak structure,” said the official.

Another official said the building’s basement housed galas but those shops have been shut for a long time.

The BMC clarified that it has not received any complaint about unauthorised alterations to the building from lawyer Rizwan Merchant. “We have received two complaints from him.

One, dated November 23, 2010, is on the building’s storm water drain getting choked and the other, dated October 22, 2012, on the unauthorised shed constructed behind the building,” said a civic official. Action was taken on both complaints.

On March 13, 2013, Merchant had also complained to the Mahim police about an unauthorised hoarding. It was then removed by the owner.