Hutments collapse into Kurla nullah, no casualties

About 25 illegal structures on the bank of Nehru Nagar nullah in Kurla (east) collapsed into the nullah on Wednesday morning, bringing the desilting work in the area to a halt. While the L ward officials confirmed that these structures were illegal, they have alleged blatant political support allowed these structures to thrive on the bank for over eight years. No injuries were reported in the incident.

An official from the civic body, who did not wish to be named, said these structures were affected in the 2007 road widening drive. According to the ward’s records, about 64 structures were demolished in 2007 and given the option to relocate, of which 25-odd structures moved to another location. The other structures, including houses, shops, storerooms of plywood shops, eateries and offices of two political parties, occupied place on the bank.

The civic official said, “Not only are they illegal on land owned by the deputy collectorate, but have also defied basic engineering principles of construction. The bank of the nullah is not equipped to support the weight of two storied buildings, and that is why the structures collapsed. They have support from politicians who also have their offices in this line and the pressure does not allow us to carry out any demolition.”

Local residents said that the structures were legal and they had proof to support their claim. Former NCP MLA Milind Kamble, who owns an office space in the same line of shops that collapsed on Wednesday, said, “I intervened to let these shops stay in this location because the BMC is bent on destroying legal structures. My office is also legal. The BMC is blaming the structures to draw attention away from their carelessness.”

Mr Kamble said he would file an FIR against the desilting contractor and the concerned officials from the L ward, for carelessness.

Former MNS leader Rajendra Lad’s office was among the structures destroyed on Wednesday. Mr Lad refused to comment on the issue.