Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Mumbai institute likely to submit report in 7 days; petrol pump under lens

Pic/Sameer Markande

A Mumbai-based technological institute has been tasked with investigating the reasons behind the collapse of a massive hoarding in Ghatkopar, which resulted in 16 deaths and 75 injuries. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials announced on Thursday that the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) is expected to submit its report within seven days.

The hoarding, measuring 120 feet by 120 feet, fell onto a nearby petrol station during a dust storm and unseasonal rain on Monday evening. Following the incident, the BMC requested VJTI to determine the cause of the collapse. A team of VJTI experts visited the site the next day, collecting soil and material samples and taking necessary measurements.

BMC officials suspect that "foundation failure" could be the primary cause of Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, noting that the hoarding's foundation may not have been deep enough. The VJTI report will assess the billboard's foundation and stability.

Former NCP corporator Rakhi Jadhav claimed that both the petrol station and the hoarding were built on marshy land. The BMC is also investigating whether the petrol station had the necessary licence to operate.

Civic commissioner Bhushan Gagrani warned that appropriate action would be taken if the petrol station was found to be operating without a valid licence.

Gagrani mentioned that a provisional licence was granted for constructing the fuel facility, but it remains unclear if a valid licence was obtained for its operation.

"Any business in the metropolis requires a prescribed license from the BMC. Accordingly, a provisional license was also granted for the construction of a petrol pump at the site. The civic body will check whether a prescribed licence was obtained (by the fuel station's operator) to run the petrol pump. Appropriate action will be taken if there was no licence," Gagrani warned.

Additionally, the Director General of the Government Railway Police (GRP), who owned the land where the hoarding was installed, has submitted a report on the incident to the Maharashtra Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home). This report details the circumstances leading to the tragedy, the construction of the petrol station on GRP land, and the bidding process for installing the billboard.

The findings of the GRP report have not been disclosed yet.

With PTI inputs