Navi Mumbai crash: Building started shaking after additional construction, say residents

NAVI MUMBAI: Residents of the ground-plus-four storey structure that collapsed Saturday in Belapur claimed that the additional floor came up before the last monsoon. Subrata Das, a tenant who had stayed on the premises for the last eight years, said the four additional rooms were built without the building being evacuated, leaving many lives at risk then itself."The structure began shaking after the construction," he alleged.
Two persons had bought three rooms, with one even taking a loan from a finance company for the purchase.
Belapur ward officer Shashikant Tandel said debris removal was underway at the site and residents were retrieving some household goods. "They have been given temporary accommodation."
The illegal building came up in 2009 and NMMC undertook a partial demolition the following year. It served a notice to the residents in 2011, but no further action was taken. TOI had asked top civic officials how the illegalities were allowed to flourish for so long without any punitive action, but they refused to comment.
Two of those who were killed-Miraj Shaikh (30) and Meraj Ansari (24)-were from UP, while the third, Shafiq Ansari (29), was from Bhiwandi. The two injured in the collapse, Lalluddin Pathan (23) and Ruksar Pathan (19), have been shifted out of the trauma ward, said Dr Rajesh Mhatre, medical superintendent of NMMC Hospital, Vashi. Fifty-five occupants had a lucky escape before the crash.
Charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among others, have been invoked against landowner Sharad Waghmare and builder Mahesh Kumbhar, who have been absconding since the crash. Senior police inspector Satish Kadam said a manhunt for them is underway.
Activist Rajeev Mishra, who had filed a petition against inaction on illegal structures in Navi Mumbai, said his plea is set to be taken up on Aug 6. He alleged NMMC has attempted to delay the hearing.