Post the collapse of the Bhiwandi building, concerns have arisen amongst the people with regards to the illegal constructions in the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
As per reports, Kamankar Durraj, civil engineer and activist has alleged that 500 illegal buildings have come up in Bhiwandi in the past five years. These buildings have been constructed using inferior material, moreover, lacking even a basic designated architect.
The Bhiwandi-Ulhasnagar and Mumbra belt in the Thane district is known for not complying by the norms when constructing new buildings. Back in 2013, an illegal building which collapsed in Mumbra and claimed the lives of 74 people has been among the worst tragedies in recent years. Moreover, in the last three months, the city has seen building collapses at Dongri, Nagpada and Fort areas.
Illegal constructions, along with a general lack of repair work in the old and dilapidated structures have given birth to the new age problem of building collapses, especially in the MMR. Moreover, in several cases, repairs are stuck because of lack of funds and disputes between landlords and the people living in the apartments i.e. the tenants.
The Bhiwandi accident occurred at around 3:20 in the morning in the Patel compound of Bhiwandi. The building in question had about 40 flats and around 150 people living in it. However, the building was not in the list of dilapidated structures of the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation.
At least 16 people were killed in the accident whereas nearly 20 to 25 people were rescued safely. On the other hand, at least 20 people were injured in the incident. According to the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC), nearly 24 flats of the building collapsed out of the 48. Moreover, an inquiry committee has been set up under the chairmanship of additional commissioner Omprakash Divte to inquire about the matter in a bid to contain such accidents in the future.
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