Mhada building collapses in Colaba, no casualties reported

A ground-plus-three under-repair Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) building named Badwariya Mansion came down crashing on Monday afternoon in Colaba. Three labourers who were working inside the building were pulled out of the site and rushed to St George Hospital.

According to Prabhat Rahangdale, chief fire officer, a part of the building collapsed while repair work was underway. “As soon as we received information, our team was rushed to the spot and carried out rescue of the labourers after which, they were sent to the hospital. Later, fire officials also cleared out the debris at the spot,” he said.

The labourers admitted to the hospital are said to be out of danger and Colaba police station has registered a case against the contractor carrying out the repair work.

Manoj Sharma, deputy commissioner of police (DCP Zone-1), “The building was empty, so there were no casualties. The contractor had obtained necessary permission from MHADA to carry out repair works. However, we have registered an FIR against the contractor.”

Anil Ankalgi, deputy engineer, Mhada, said, “We had given the no objection certificate to the contractor for carrying out repair works as the building was in a dilapidated condition and we had also sent notice several times to the residents to vacate the building .”