Maha Minister Orders Probe Into Mankhurd Chawl Collapse; Oppn Demands Action Against Guilty

Mumbai: Expressing grief over the deaths of six, including five children, after a three-storey chawl collapsed amid heavy rains in Mumbai’s eastern suburb Mankhurd, the Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan announced a stringent inquiry will be initiated into all such dangerous and illegal buildings in the city.

He said, “The accident that took place in Mankhurd’s Janta Nagar is extremely unfortunate. I travelled directly from Nashik to inspect the site and assess the situation. The lanes in this area are exceptionally narrow, and houses have been stacked precariously on top of each other. Structures with a ground footprint of just 12 by 12 feet have had three additional floors erected above them. Most of these constructions are unauthorised.”

Upon receiving news of the incident, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde rushed to the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi to meet the victims’ families, offering her condolences and support. MLA Abu Azmi and Rukhsana Siddiqui were also present during the visit.

According to preliminary reports, the structure — located near the Hanuman Temple in Chawl No. 5, Janta Nagar — consisted of a ground floor plus three additional stories. When the houses collapsed, several residents were trapped under the debris. Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police, municipal ward officials, and 108 Ambulance services, rushed to the spot.

A rescue operation was launched on a war footing to pull out those trapped under the rubble, who were then rushed to nearby medical facilities. Local corporator Navnath Ban was present at the site to coordinate the rescue efforts.

The victims were shifted to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. The tragic incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Janta Nagar locality of Mankhurd. Two to three houses within a poorly constructed three-story chawl suddenly gave way. The collapse claimed the lives of five children and one woman, leaving one other individual injured and currently undergoing medical treatment.

Ironically, the disaster struck while the residents were packing up and preparing to evacuate the dilapidated structure due to safety concerns.

Authorities have identified the deceased as Alia (7), Muskan (14), Nihal (6), Nabia (2), Soni (32), and Munaf (7). All the deceased belonged to the same family. A 24-year-old Rehan Ali survived the collapse and was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. Doctors treating him have confirmed that his condition is currently stable.

Rescue operations at the site are ongoing. According to initial reports, a section comprising two to three homes within the chawl suddenly collapsed, sparking panic across the neighbourhood. Upon receiving the alert, fire engines, police personnel, municipal ward staff, and 108 Ambulance services rushed to the spot. Debris clearance and search operations were initiated immediately to rescue those trapped under the rubble.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed profound grief over the Mankhurd incident. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased, his office said on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that he personally obtained information from the concerned municipal officers and the police administration. “Additionally, I have issued instructions to admit the injured to private hospitals for treatment if needed. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also announced financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. The incident that has occurred is extremely tragic and unfortunate, and I pay my respects to the deceased who lost their lives in this event.”

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said, “The accident caused by the collapse of a building due to heavy rainfall in the Mankhurd area of Mumbai is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in this accident. I share in the grief of their families. The administration should continue rescue and relief operations at a war footing and provide all necessary immediate assistance to those affected. In this difficult time, the state government stands firmly with the affected and is committed to providing all possible help to them.”

Meanwhile, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the collapse of a building in Mankhurd, Mumbai, resulting in the death of six citizens, was an extremely painful and infuriating incident. Heartfelt tribute to the departed. We share in the grief of their families. He has demanded strict action against the guilty.

“Every monsoon season, buildings collapse, roads cave in, manholes turn into death traps… yet the government and administration remain oblivious. Innocent lives are lost, and then inquiry orders are issued -this has become the daily routine. A thorough investigation into this accident must be conducted, and strict action must be taken against the guilty. This game with the lives of Mumbaikars must stop now,” he said.=

The Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that these deaths occurred not just as an accident but raise a question on the safety of old and dangerous buildings in Mumbai, the lack of timely inspections, and expose the administration’s negligence.

“In the last six days in Mumbai, ten citizens have lost their lives. After the accident in Mankhurd, many serious questions have arisen. Was this chawl dangerous? If so, were the residents informed? Who will take responsibility for this negligence? After losing citizens’ lives, merely conducting inquiries and giving assurances will not suffice. In Mumbai, lives are being lost due to falling trees and people falling into manholes. The administration must take strict action against the guilty and ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he remarked.

(IANS)