In the wake of the tragic building collapse at Dockyard Road, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally taken decisive action against internal negligence. Seven civic officials have been suspended for their alleged role in the incident, and a total of 18 officers — including those suspended — will now face a comprehensive departmental enquiry.
The investigation, proposed by Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte and Additional Municipal Commissioners Rajeev Jalota and Mohan Adtani, targets officers from both the Planning and Design Department and the Markets Department — the latter being directly responsible for the Babu Genu Market, where the collapse occurred.
Eight of the officers facing scrutiny are from the Planning and Design Department, which handles structural repairs and maintenance of BMC-owned properties. The remaining ten belong to the Markets Department, which had jurisdiction over the collapsed structure. Sources within the civic body have indicated that further disciplinary actions may follow, including the potential suspension of senior figures such as Chandrashekhar Chore, Assistant Commissioner of Markets.
“We are taking strong administrative steps. Seven officers have already been suspended, and an enquiry has been initiated against 18. This is only the first phase,” said Rajeev Jalota. He confirmed that both he and Mohan Adtani will jointly lead the deeper administrative probe into the matter.
The BMC has also set up a Technical Advisory Committee to investigate the causes behind the collapse. This committee will be headed by Laxman Vhatkar, Director of Engineering Services and Projects. It will include noted structural consultant Shashank Mehandale, Bharat Patil (Deputy Chief Engineer, Planning and Design – Western Suburbs), and Sunil Rathod (Executive Engineer, Building Proposals). The panel is expected to submit a detailed report within one month.
Among those suspended are: MN Patel, Executive Engineer, Planning and Design, MK Redekar, Assistant Engineer, Planning and Design, SN Yele, Assistant Engineer, Planning and Design, SN Ghadage, Assistant Engineer, Markets, Rahul Jadhav, Assistant Engineer, Markets, Dr BC Chavan, Deputy Superintendent, Markets & Jamal Kazi, Inspector, Markets.
The BMC’s swift response comes amid mounting public pressure and criticism over poor upkeep of civic infrastructure and alleged lapses in monitoring dilapidated buildings. This incident has not only highlighted glaring administrative failures but also revived concerns over the structural safety of older municipal markets and tenements across Mumbai.
As the enquiry progresses, further accountability is expected, possibly reshaping the leadership in key departments. The civic body is under intense scrutiny to ensure such lapses are never repeated.
Source: Mid-Day
