The Maharashtra government will conduct an inquiry into the Bhendi Bazaar building collapse in which at least 10 people lost their lives, Industries Minister Subhash Desai announced on August 31.
The five-storey building, located at Pakmodia street near J.J. Hospital, with 12 rooms and six warehouses on the ground floor, crumbled at around 8.30 a.m. on August 31.
“Our priority is to pull out at the earliest those trapped under the rubble of the dilapidated building. Once the rescue work gets over, the government will conduct a probe to ascertain the factors behind the building collapse. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Mr. Desai, who is also the guardian Minister for Mumbai, told reporters in Mumbai.
A meeting would be held with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to chalk out an action plan to rehabilitate those living in dilapidated buildings.
“This particular building was already marked for redevelopment as it was dilapidated. A meeting will soon be held with the chief minister and an action plan will be prepared to rehabilitate those residing in such structures so that these incidents do not occur again,” Mr. Desai said.
At least 10 persons were killed and 15 injured when the residential building caved in. Many more are feared trapped in the debris.
The incident occurred two days after heavy rains that brought the city to a halt and may have caused damage to the building.
