Coporators say PMC should be blamed for recent boundary wall collapse, as it did not follow strict inspection norms
Taking note of the spate of deaths due to collapsing walls and wadas in the city over the past few weeks, corporators raised the issue during the General Body (GB) meeting yesterday. Incriminating the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials, the councillors said that civic officials should take responsibility for not inspecting building structures by the book. A detailed report of all incidents will be presented at the next GB meeting scheduled for June 26.u00a0
Man-made disaster? Four pedestrians were killed and several vehicles were crushed as the 20-foot high wall of Suvarna Nanda building came crumbling down on Sunday. Pic/Krunal Gosavi
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On Sunday, a boundary wall of Suvarna Nanda building caved in on four pedestrians, killing them after they were buried under the debris. The city has also witnessed several wada collapses in the last few days, which claimed several lives.
“Builders are violating construction norms. The PMC officials are equally responsible for all these incidents. Many people have lost their lives and the civic body has not initiated any action yet,” said MNS leader Vasant More.
In the Suvarna Nanda building wall collapse, the compound wall was 20-feet high. It is not known whether the PMC had granted permission for the construction of the high wall. It is also reported that the housing society had recently been redeveloped. “PMC engineers must have visited site for inspection during building construction and after completion,” said a corporator.
Avinash Bagwe, Congress corporator, said, “It is surprising that they did not find anything wrong with the height of the wall. Timely action on their part could have saved precious lives. Strict action should be taken against the concerned officials. The incidents also occurred due to the negligence of contractors.
Before the next GB, the municipal commissioner should conduct a thorough enquiry and take action.”
NCP leader Subhash Jagtap also said that a notice should be served against the persons responsible for the mishaps.
Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak said, “We are planning to formulate a policy on the construction of the walls. We are having discussions on the issue with the structural engineers. All norms regarding the base and height of walls will be finalised soon.”u00a0
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