Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Addresses Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Incident

Weeks after the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated in the Maharashtra assembly that there are 1025 hoardings within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), all of which are legal. He emphasized that hoardings on public roads and visible places require prior permission as per Section 328(1) of the BMC Act 1888.

Shinde noted that 306 hoardings on Railway Authority land in Mumbai lack BMC permission. Of these, 99 hoardings exceed 40×40 feet. A notice was issued to the Railways on May 15 to conduct a structural audit and remove dilapidated hoardings. The Bombay High Court ruled on June 14 that the Railway is responsible for unauthorized hoardings on their land and any mishaps during monsoon.

On May 13, a 120×140-foot hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar, resulting in 17 deaths and 81 injuries. The incident also damaged 77 vehicles. Financial aid was provided to the victims, with those injured for over 7 days receiving Rs 2.16 lakh and those injured for less than 7 days receiving Rs 2.054 lakh. The families of the deceased received Rs 11 lakh each.

An FIR was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, leading to four arrests. The Commissioner of GRP at the time was suspended, and a committee led by retired Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Justice Dilip Bhosale is investigating the incident.