26 May,2011 06:08 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Wall collapsed on them while illegal structures were being knocked down at SVP Nagar
The active bulldozers of the contractor appointed by HDIL to demolish MHADA row houses at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Nagar, Andheri (W) resulted in a wall collapsing on an adjoining home that led to the death of a 25-year-old woman and left her four-month-old baby in a critical condition. Speaking to MiD DAY, investigating officer API S Bandalkar, Versova police station, said, "The incident took place around 2.30 pm at Society No 56 at SVP Nagar.
Unfortunate: The debris inside the house of Sapana Singh, who died
after a wall collapsed on her while she was sleeping with her
four-month-old child. Pic/Nimish Dave
Workers hired by HDIL came to demolish the first floors of the row houses. During the demolition drive, the wall of the structure adjoining to room number 19 collapsed and Sapana Singh (25), who was sleeping with her four-month baby inside the house was seriously injured. They were soon rushed to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries around 5 pm. The baby's condition is critical."
Bandalkar further added that a case of negligence had been registered against the contractor and the builder and action against them would be taken soon. Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ramesh Pawar of K-West BMC ward said, "The incident that took place at SVP Nagar is unfortunate. Last Saturday, we had told the society representatives that if they had decided to demolish all illegal constructions on their own, suitable precautions should be taken in order to avoid any untoward incident." When MiD DAY tried to contact officials from HDIL working on the redevelopment of SVP Nagar, no one was available for comment.
