Mamata Banerjee expresses grief over deaths in Mumbai hoarding collapse

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Pic/PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed grief over the death of several people due to the fall of a massive billboard in a dust storm in Mumbai.

She extended her condolences to the next of kin of the deceased in the Mumbai hoarding collapse.

"Sad to know that several people have died and many more trapped and injured in a massive billboard accident in Mumbai today evening, when the hoarding fell in a dust storm," Banerjee said on X.

"My sincere condolences to the next of kin of the dead, and solidarity to the struggling survivors," she added.

The 100-foot tall billboard, which was illegal according to civic officials, uprooted and fell on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction in Ghatkopar, killing 14 people and injuring 74 others.

The unseasonal rain and dust storms led to the suspension of flight operations at Mumbai airport for an hour in the evening due to low visibility, services of local trains were delayed while traffic snarls were seen in several areas.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar has said stringent action will be taken against those responsible for the Mumbai hoarding collapse incident, reported PTI.

Phansalkar visited the spot late Monday evening where he spoke to reporters and assured of action against those responsible for the incident, reported PTI.

In a post on his official X handle on Monday, Phansalkar said, "Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap at Ghatkopar. @MumbaiPolice team is on the spot in the rescue operation. We assure citizens that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mishap."

A case has been registered against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of M/s Ego Media Private Limited and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at Pant Nagar police station, another official said, reported PTI.

Search and rescue operations were going on at the Chheda Nagar-based petrol pump on Tuesday morning, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials.

The billboard was illegal and no permission was taken to install it, as per civic officials.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the incident spot late Monday evening and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city.

"The hoardings, if found illegal and dangerous, would be removed immediately," he said.

"It is a very unfortunate incident. The government will probe it, and the people responsible will face action. I have also asked the BMC commissioner to conduct a structural audit of all the hoardings in the city. Those found illegal and dangerous will be removed," Shinde told reporters.

He announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each person killed in the hoarding collapse.

(With inputs from PTI)