Thane: 7 dead as Ulhasnagar building collapses; Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of deceased

Thane: 7 dead as Ulhasnagar building collapses; Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of deceased

Faisal TandelUpdated: Saturday, May 29, 2021, 04:09 PM IST
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Mumbai: Seven people were killed after the slab of a 26 year old five-storey building in Ulhasnagar collapsed on Friday night. This is the second such incident in less than a month. The rescue operations by the fire brigade and the Thane disaster response force was called off late at night.

Guardian Minister, Eknath Shinde who visited the site in the wee hours of Saturday said, "After speaking with the Municipal Commissioner of Ulhasnagar municipal corporation. Primarily it is found that such buildings were built up in 1994-95. Being illegal those days the corporation used to take action by cutting the slabs with gas cutters. The developer after centering the joints of the slab used to fill up the slab to make it ready to use. Those were temporary jobs resulting in impact and collapse incidents happening in Ulhasnagar. We have asked the authorities to get data of buildings that the corporation took action and cut the slab. After taking the report the residents should be shifted to a safe place on priority. Also, action will be taken against the developers who had constructed the building even after action from the authorities," added Shinde who had announced Rs 5 lakh compensation from the state government to the family of the deceased.

Dr. Raja Dayani, municipal commissioner, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation who visited the site confirmed about seven people were dead in the incident and said all were shifted to central hospital. He said the fire brigade officials along with the Thane disaster response force had carried out the rescue operation and removed seven dead bodies from the debris.

According to the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), Thane, the incident occurred at 9 pm on Friday. Sai Shakti building, a ground plus five-storey structure located near Bank of Baroda, Nehru Chowk, in Ulhasnagar came crashing down like a house of cards. "The building was constructed 26 years ago and is a ground plus five storey building with 29, one-BHK flats. “The complete slab of the living rooms in flats of 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 from the fifth to the ground floor has collapsed like cards. So, all those who were in this room of their flats were stuck in the debris. Those who were in the kitchens and bedrooms of their homes are safe,” said Santosh Kadam, head, RDMC, Thane Municipal Corporation.

The seven dead includes Punit Bajomal Chandwani 17, Dinesh Bajomal Chandwani 40, Deepak Bajomal Chandwani 42, Mohini Bajomal Chandwani 45, Krishna Inuchand Bajaj 24, Amruta Inuchand Bajaj 54 and Lavli Bajaj 20. "After we reached the spot with the help of the fire officials we rescued three dead bodies from the debris. There was too much congestion during the rescue operation resulting in difficulties. But the rescue operation was completed safely and all the dead bodies were shifted to central hospital," said Sachin Dube, from TDRF.

A huge crowd had gathered at the spot to witness the rescue operations. Police had to control the public to keep the area clear, so that rescue operations could go on unhindered. There are also locals who are helping with the rescue.

On May 15, five people, including a 12-year-old boy were killed, after the slab of a four-storey building, Mohini Palace, had collapsed in Ulhasnagar.

After the slab collapse of Mohini palace 15 days ago the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation had given notice to 990 buildings to submit the structural audit report. "Around 10 days ago we sent notices to 990 buildings. Till date only two to three buildings submitted the report that too was incomplete. So we have been asked to submit the report on a prior basis. We have a list of 50 buildings, where action was taken by the corporation in the 90's by cutting the slab as it was illegal. We are trying to find and vacate the building," said Yuvraj Badane, Public Relation officer, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of UMC claiming the seven dead are from two different families. Most of them who are survived were busy with household work and couldn't recollect what happen with fraction of second.

Badane said the list of UMC this year shows a total 23 very dangerous buildings in which 19 have been vacated and work to vacate four others are going on. Also, there are a total 147 dangerous buildings, where the corporation is checking if they are safe or can be repaired. "The Sai Shakti building was not in the list of dangerous buildings," added Badane.

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