10 August,2026 03:34 PM IST | Bhiwandi | mid-day online correspondent
Civic lapse kept residents in structure that later collapsed (Representational image)
An administrative lapse in classifying a 'dangerous' structure let residents remain in a four-storey Bhiwandi building that later collapsed, killing 10 persons, civic sources said.
As per PTI, a portion of the Kohinoor Building, comprising 48 rooms, 12 on each floor, in the Balaji Nagar area of Bhiwandi in Maharashtra's Thane district, came crashing down on the night of July 30.
A senior official with the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) on Sunday said the building was incorrectly classified by the local ward officer, which delayed the required safety actions. Furthermore, three people were injured.
As per PTI, the official list published on May 12, the building, located in civic ward 04, was listed under category 'C2B' (for structural repairs without eviction). Across the ward, 55 buildings were placed in 'C-1' (most dangerous/eviction required), 164 in 'C2A' (repairs requiring partial eviction), and 107 in the 'C2B' category.
Officials further said, "The misclassification did not necessitate immediate eviction and instead allowed residents to stay in the building. A contractor then began carrying out repairs without obtaining permission from the BNCMC," as per PTI.
He further added, "Besides wrongly categorising the building, local officials also provided inaccurate information to the higher authorities."
During a meeting on August 5 with Thane Collector Shrikrishna Panchal, who is also holding the charge of BNCMC commissioner, the ward staff incorrectly reported the building was listed under Category 'C2A', a statement that hid the true extent of its structural degradation and delayed forceful intervention, he said.
While noting that the civic commissioner is one leave, the officials added that Panchal has ordered comprehensive re-audits and re-classification of all structures under C-1, C2A, and C2B categories across Bhiwandi, as per PTI.
They also added, "Disciplinary action and direct criminal/administrative accountability will be enforced against civic officials found submitting false or negligent building classifications."
After the building collapse, the BNCMC said in a statement that the building was identified as "dangerous" and a notice was first issued on September 7, 2020, ordering property owners to submit a structural audit report. A reminder notice was served on April 22, 2022.
It noted, "Following non-compliance, the civic body issued eviction notices on June 5, 2026, subsequently disconnecting electricity and water supply to the premises and evacuating families. However, the property owners illegally initiated structural repair works," as per PTI.
Police have registered an FIR against the building owner and a contractor who was allegedly executing unauthorised work on the premises.
(With inputs from PTI)
