August 22, 2025: The Bombay High Court has emphasised the urgent need for stringent safety measures at high-rise construction sites, following a petition by the Lokhandwala Residency Towers Cooperative Housing Society. The case was triggered by a tragic accident on February 14, 2023, when a large cement block fell from the 52nd floor of the ‘Four Seasons Private Residences Phase I and II’ project in Worli, developed by Provenance Land Pvt Ltd, killing two people.
The petition highlighted that it was unacceptable for lives to be lost due to objects falling from suspended cranes, posing a hidden danger to pedestrians and passersby. The court observed that the threat to individuals’ safety in public spaces constituted a violation of the fundamental right to life, emphasising the urgent need to prevent such accidents.
One key issue raised was whether a recognised specialised agency exists to inspect, certify, or approve the operation of cranes and high-rise construction activities, a role which developers could appoint.
In response, the court on August 7 appointed an expert committee to recommend enhanced safety measures for construction at significant heights. This directive extended to high-rise public infrastructure projects, including metro rail, flyovers, and bridges, which may endanger residents, pedestrians, or motorists if objects fall from such heights.
The committee’s report, submitted on 12 August by Senior Counsel for the BMC, Narendra Walawalkar, noted that Mumbai currently has numerous tall buildings, including 181 above 150 metres and 24 exceeding 250 metres, with 416 more under construction. Despite the adoption of modern construction technology, violations of safety norms persist, leading to mishaps and endangering nearby areas, roads, gardens, and public spaces.
The court stressed that the report must be implemented in full by the BMC and all other municipal authorities granting high-rise building permissions. The state urban development department has been directed to issue guidelines ensuring that these safety measures are applied across all high-rise and tall construction projects.
Source: Hindustan Times
