Vinayak Darshan building portion collapses onto road during demolition in Kalyan West
A large portion of the dilapidated Vinayak Darshan residential building collapsed onto a public road during demolition in Gholap Nagar, Kalyan West on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which occurred at around 2:00 pm, triggered panic among nearby residents and motorists but resulted in no casualties or injuries.
The building was undergoing demolition as part of an active redevelopment project. According to eyewitnesses, a significant section of the structure gave way without warning and crashed onto the busy street. The sudden collapse sent up a massive cloud of dust, forcing people in the immediate vicinity to flee to safety.
Local residents expressed fear and raised serious concerns over the safety standards employed during the demolition. They alleged that the contractor failed to implement essential protective measures, such as proper barricading, safety nets, and controlled demolition practices. Residents claimed that the absence of these safeguards put nearby buildings, pedestrians, and motorists at risk.
The Vinayak Darshan building had previously been declared highly dangerous and had been kept under observation for several days. It was subsequently handed over to a developer for redevelopment. Following a reduction in rainfall, the contractor began the demolition work. However, residents alleged that the work was carried out without following standard safety protocols, leading to the partial collapse onto the road.
A video of the dramatic collapse was recorded by bystanders and quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention and sparking debates over urban demolition safety.
Officials from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) confirmed that the building was being demolished for redevelopment. Civic officials stated that they are looking into the matter and promised that strict action would be initiated in accordance with the law if any negligence on the part of the contractor or those responsible is established during the inquiry.
