Structural change on ground floor may have led to building

The ongoing structural change on the ground floor of the Ghatkopar building appears to have led to its collapse yesterday in which 17 people were killed, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Assembly today.
He informed the House that besides the police probe, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to investigate the incident and submit report with the government within 15 days.
The chief minister said the nursing home on the ground floor of the building was being converted into some other facility for which permission from the BMC had been sought.
According to residents of Siddhi-Sai Cooperative Housing Society, the pillars of the building got weakened due to ongoing renovation of the nursing home.

Sunil Shitap, a local Shiv Sena worker, reportedly owned the ground floor and has been arrested by the police.
"The ground plus four storey building had a total nine flats with 46 occupants. The nursing home on the ground floor was to be closed and it had obtained the necessary permission from the BMC for the same.

"As per the available information and photographs taken by fire brigade department, it appears that the ongoing work was damaging the beam and the column of the building. There are marks as well on the beams, which could have led to collapse of the building. The inquiry is still on," Fadnavis told the House.

Congress leaders Naseem Khan and Sanjay Nirupam had last night alleged that the BMC had failed to act on the complaint of the residents of the building about ongoing "alterations" in the nursing home.
The chief minister told the House that no resident of the ill-fated building had filed any complaint about the ongoing structural change on the ground floor with either the BMC or any other authorities.
"Sunit Shitap had sought the permission for running a nursing home on the ground floor (of the building) on July 18, 2009. The permission was valid till July 17 this year. The permission was sought under the name 'Sunil Shitap and Others' for setting up the nursing home. Later, Shitap filed an application with the BMC to close the nursing home and necessary permission was given in July this year. Shitap had plans to use the facility for some other purpose," he said.

Though the civil work was going on, as per the available information, no resident of the same building had filed any complaint with the BMC, Fadnavis said.
"I have directed the commissioner of the BMC to investigate (the collapse) and submit a report within 15 days," he said.
After the building crumbled, some 14 fire engines and 300 workers rushed to the spot and undertook rescue work. The officials rescued 31 residents, while 17 have died and 12 are injured in the accident, he added.
Fadnavasi said the state government has set up an inquiry committee. The BMC commissioner, deputy commissioner, and chief civil engineer will be members of the committee.

"As per the demand of the Opposition leaders and other members of the House, a senior-level IAS officer will also be appointed in this committee to bring more transparency," the CM said.