A significant step was taken in Maharashtra after the Bombay High Court’s order led to the issuance of safety guidelines for under-construction skyscrapers across the state. The state’s urban development department released a notification on Friday, making it mandatory for all municipal corporations, councils, and metropolitan authorities to implement the recommendations of a committee that had been formed in response to a 2023 tragedy.
The origins of the case were traced back to an accident at Worli, where two individuals lost their lives when objects fell from a crane at a construction site. The residents of Lokhandwala Residency CHS had approached the court, and a committee was subsequently asked to frame measures for avoiding such occurrences.
In the committee’s findings, the rapid vertical growth of Mumbai was underscored. It was recorded that 181 towers already exceeded 150 metres, 47 surpassed 200 metres, and 24 crossed 250 metres. The tallest, Lokhandwala Minerva, was reported at 301.60 metres. At the same time, 416 more projects above 150 metres were noted as being under construction, while a 400-metre structure was still in the proposal stage.
The committee highlighted that accidents related to cranes had already been documented in 2022 and 2023. One particularly serious incident took place on February 14, 2023, when concrete blocks fell from the 42nd floor of a building onto a busy road, instantly killing two pedestrians. The fact that smaller debris had fallen over the preceding two years was mentioned, which had prompted the petition filed by residents and the eventual High Court order.
The committee’s report was filled with a series of recommendations that are now being enforced. It was advised that Licensed Safety Officers (LSOs) be deployed at construction sites, with full-time presence required until cranes are dismantled. Engineering qualifications and knowledge of international standards were described as essential for these officers. In addition, periodic reporting of accidents, near misses, and corrective measures was made compulsory.
Protective measures were also emphasised. Safety nets six metres wide around building perimeters were prescribed, alongside barricading of crane zones and the construction of durable shed-like structures over nearby public areas to guard against falling debris. Crane operators were instructed to keep cabins weatherproof, while cranes were required to be kept free-moving during strong winds to align with wind direction. The use of long-lasting, anti-corrosive materials for external cladding was mandated, and protective roofing was advised for open refuge areas in buildings.
Support from the construction industry was expressed. CREDAI-MCHI chief Sukhraj Nahar was quoted as stressing that safety should remain the foremost priority and that every crane site must have a dedicated safety officer. Through this directive, a comprehensive framework is being established to ensure that the risks of accidents at high-rise construction projects are reduced, thereby safeguarding not only workers but also the general public in densely populated urban environments.