Ghatkopar Building Collapse: Shitap was carrying out renovation illegally

Assistant commissioner of N Ward says local Shiv Sena leader was not given any permission for carrying out the renovation on the ground floor

Residents have alleged that the renovation work on the ground floor was the cause of the building’s collapse. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Renovation work on the ground floor of the Siddhi Sai building in Ghatkopar - which residents have alleged was the cause for its collapse - was going on illegally, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday. The floor is owned by local Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap, who did not have any permission from the civic department for carrying out the work.

Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar had told mid-day on Tuesday, "Everyone is claiming that the repair work was illegal. But as per my knowledge, Bhagyashree Kapse, the assistant municipal commissioner of N Ward, had given permission to carry out the work."

Also read: Ghatkopar building collapse: Congress asks BJP, Shiv Sena to apologise to Mumbai

No permit for Shitap
However, Khapse had the opposite to say to mid-day on Wednesday, "There was no such permission given to Shitap for renovation. Also, if there are any major structural changes, then the person is supposed to take permission from the building proposal department. The ward office has no role in such cases."

When asked if there were any complaints from the residents or if BMC was aware of the repair work, Kapse said, "There was no complaint from the residents about any alteration in the building. We were not aware of any work being carried out by them." Officials said that in 2009, Shitap had changed the flats he owned from residential to commercial and amalgamation of flats was done with permission from the building proposal department.

Also read: Ghatkopar building collapse: Shiv Sena leader sent to police custody till August 2

Opposition slams BMC
Meanwhile, in the general body meeting, the opposition corporators slammed BMC for its ignorance and inaction. Parag Shah, BJP corporator from Ghatkopar said, "The repairs in the building were going on since more than a month.

How can they (BMC officials) not know if the repair work was illegal? A few months ago, minor repair work was going on in my house and after it began, a few officials from the ward reached my house inquiring about it."

Shah added, "If officials can get to know about small repair work in their area, how can they miss such a big change in the building's structure? The inquiry should also book responsible officers."

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