Cracks noticed in building, over 72 families evacuated

Mumbai: Around 72 families residing in three wings of a sprawling residential complex in Kashimira had to be evacuataed after gaping gaps were noticed on the base columns of buildings on Tuesday night.  

The 16-year-old buildings—Aman , Amitabh and Madhuri— which are ground-plus-three-storey structures in the Green Wood (Bollywood) complex of Hatkesh in Kashimira  housed 72 families and did not fare in the list of dangerous structures recently published by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), officials said.

Residents have blamed the massive ongoing construction activities at the back of their building by a developer for the damage. According to chief fire officer Prakash Borade, after getting information regarding wide cracks noticed on the base column and exterior of the buildings, the Fire Brigade immediately reached the spot and evacuataed residents with the help of local police and disconnected the power supply as a safety measure.

“As of now our top priority is to safely shift the residents to alternate accommodation. Strict action would be initiated against those found responsible for the damage,” said municipal commissioner Balaji Khatga-

okar. "We have been raising the issue of potential threat with the civic administration for the past several months, yet no action has been taken," alleged local municipal corporator Daulat Gajre.