Posh Colaba building remains fire hazard

5 years after Mohnish Behl's dad dies in fire tragedy...

Posh Colaba building remains fire hazard

5 years after Mohnish Behl's dad dies in fire tragedy...

Even two major fires in the posh Sagar Sangeet and Conversion Scheme Co-Op Housing society in Colaba have failed to serve as an eye opener for the residents of the society.
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In both cases one of which killed actor Mohnish Behl's father the lack of fire-fighting facilities were held responsible for the extent of the damage.

The latest effort to rectify this was made in June, but in vain.

According to a letter, dated June 22, that was circulated to all society members, the society president proposed a general body meeting to discuss the multiple problems in the society, including the complete lack of fire-fighting facilities due to the lack of funds.

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However, all the members including the chairman, secretary and the joint secretary submitted their resignation soon after this.

According to P N Mehra, the current chairman of the society, "Neither am I authorised to comment on this, nor am I powerful enough to take any decision.
The power lies with the managing committee. Talk to them."

The news that nothing had changed in the society since the last fire came as a surprise to Chief Fire Officer P D Karguppikar.

He was the assistant divisional officer of the Mumbai fire brigade and had investigated the case involving Behl's father.
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"I had personally ordered the installation of a fire fighting system in the building. If they have not done it yet, necessary action will be taken," he said.

The manager of the society, however, claimed that fire-fighting facilities had been installed after the June circular was released. But society members told MiD DAY that they were still not up to the mark.

Through all this, the lives of 158 society members (117 in Sagar Sangeet and 41 in Conversion) continue to remain at grave risk.

The Incidents

> May 2001: Two bedrooms on 29th floor gutted
> August 2004: Floors 31, 32 gutted. Actor Mohnish Behl's father Rajneesh loses his life in this fire.

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