Bhiwandi: Seven days after the deadly collapse of a portion of the Kohinoor Apartment in Bhiwandi claimed 10 lives and 3 injured the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) on Thursday demolished the remaining section of the four-storey building, declaring it structurally unsafe and posing a serious threat to public safety.
The demolition was carried out using heavy earthmoving machinery at Gangaram Wadi in Bhandari Compound, where a part of the B-Wing (House No. 1557/0) of the residential building had collapsed at around 11.30 pm on July 30, trapping several occupants under the debris. The tragedy left ten people dead and triggered widespread concern over the structural safety of ageing buildings in the city.
Civic officials said the remaining portion of the building had also become unstable after the collapse and required immediate demolition to prevent any further mishap. Although the demolition was initially delayed following protests by residents who wanted to retrieve their belongings, the civic administration later completed panchnamas of the affected flats and persuaded the occupants to vacate the premises.
Following the completion of the required documentation and evacuation process, the BNCMC proceeded with the demolition operation on Thursday. The exercise was conducted under tight security, with senior municipal officials, civic staff and a large police contingent deployed at the site to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, civic authorities said the neighbouring A-Wing (Property No. 1556/0) has also been affected due to the collapse and is currently considered vulnerable. As a precautionary measure, all residents of the adjoining building have been evacuated.
Speaking to FPJ Vikram Darade, Deputy Commissioner at the BNCMC headquarters, said a detailed structural audit of the adjoining building will now be carried out by qualified structural engineers. Occupants will be allowed to return only after the building is declared safe and any required repairs are completed.
He added that if the structural audit concludes that the neighbouring building is also unsafe or beyond repair, the civic administration will initiate demolition proceedings in accordance with the applicable safety regulations.
The demolition marks the latest step in the civic administration's response to one of Bhiwandi's deadliest building collapses in recent years, even as investigations into the cause of the tragedy continue.
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