The collapse of buildings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is a growing concern, leading to tragic loss of lives and injuries. Many of these incidents have been attributed to structural weaknesses, water seepage, and buildings being declared unsafe by authorities. Despite warnings and evacuation notices, some residents continue to live in such risky conditions. The local authorities, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have been actively trying to address this issue, issuing lists of unsafe buildings and urging residents to relocate. However, more coordinated efforts and collaboration between authorities and residents are needed to find sustainable solutions and provide alternative accommodations, especially as the city faces the challenges of the monsoon season.
In the wee hours of September 3, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Bhiwandi as a one-story house collapsed, claiming the lives of a woman and an eight-month-old baby girl, while injuring five other family members. The building, previously deemed unsafe by the government in 2021, suffered a rear portion collapse, trapping victims under debris for over an hour.
Prompt rescue efforts were led by local authorities, ultimately saving seven lives. The following morning, Thane Police took action against the the builder Indrapal Patil by filling a case against him under Sections 304 (2), 337, 338, and 42 of the IPC. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, met with the injured parties and has announced financial aid to the tune of Rs 5 lacs accordingly to published reports.
This story is one of many that have recently occurred in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Last month, a slab collapsed at the construction site of Wing C of the Tulsi Bhavan project in Sarsole Village, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The incident claimed the lives of two individuals and injured several others. In the aftermath of the incident, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has been brought in to conduct a structural audit of the building and identify the reason for the collapse.
In July this year, a commercial building by the name of Navkriti Premises located opposite the ticket window of the Bhayander Railway Station came crumbling down. The building contained a printing press, bars and restaurants. The collapsed claimed the life of cobbler and left four other seriously injured. The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation had issued an eviction notice to its tenants a week prior to the collapse, warning them of the dire condition of the structure. Fifteen other buildings in the vicinity had received similar notices and were evacuated.
In the same month a building by the name Haji Qasim Ismail Building in Mahim developed cracks leading to the collapse of the third floor slab. Luckily, there were no causalities. The collapse was attributed to water seepage, which is said to have weakened the structure. In response to the incident, 150 people were evacuated from neighbouring buildings after which the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority oversaw the demolition of the damaged portions of the building.
In the first week of July, a slab collapsed in a residential building in Malad which led to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation swiftly taking action by evacuation people from the neighbouring wings of the building. In this case the building had not been identified as dangerous prior to the incident. However a resident told the press that the society had received a prior warning from the BMC urging them to conduct a structural audit of the building. Due to the on-going redevelopment plans, the audit was postponed.
On the onset of the monsoon season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released a list in June containing names of 226 building deemed “extremely unsafe”. All mentioned buildings were categorised under C-1 under Section 354 of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888. The BMC urged residents of these building to promptly vacate the premises and relocate. Measures such as disconnection of water and electricity lines were used to urge residents to vacate.
In spite of continuous efforts made by the BMC and local civic authorities to warn and prepare residents of the perils of residing in such structures, some accidents are inevitable. It is imperative for the authorities to work in union with the residents to find solutions and alternative accommodations. As the city braces for another month of rains, it remains to see how residents, housing societies and authorities tackle such problems.
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