Thane: 1000 dangerous buildings, 51 critical

(

), April 6: It was a tragedy waiting to happen in Thane where the seven storey illegal building collapse resulted in several deaths. When Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan visited the spot, he was quoted as saying that 'ninety per cent of buildings in Mumbra are illegal'.

According to reports, Thane has 1000 dangerous building out of which 51 are critical. Soon after the incident, the adjacent building to Lucky Compound which is also reportedly unauthorised was evacuated. Most of the residents in in these buildings are migrants and illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, the blame game as begun with politicians, bureaucrats, civic authorities passing the blame on each other while shrugging it off themselves.

Incidentally, the issue of illegal structures increasing in satellite towns in Mumbai came up earlier this week in the state assembly.

Meanwhile, the death toll has been swelling. At present 71 deaths have been reported. Latest figure indicates a total of 62 people have been injured in the tragedy. Moreover, three officials have been suspended for dereliction of duties, allowing unauthorised building to flourish, in spite of having no clearance for occupancy. Police sources say one of the two accused builders has been arrested. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the two builders, Jamil Qureshi and Salim Shaikh.

OneIndia News