Walkeshwar Balcony Collapse Kills One BJP Demands Action On 13800 Mumbai Buildings
A 51-year-old man was killed after a portion of a third-floor balcony of a MHADA building collapsed at Gaodevi on Babulnath Road in Walkeshwar, South Mumbai, prompting BJP leader Pravin Darekar to demand urgent action from the Maharashtra government on Thursday regarding 13,800 dilapidated buildings in the city.
The victim, Santosh Ramchandra Bharaskar, was an employee at a nearby petrol pump. He was passing through the area when the debris from the collapsing balcony fell on him, resulting in his death.
Raising the issue through a Point of Information in the Legislative Council, Darekar urged the state government to take immediate and decisive measures. He stated that thousands of residents are currently living in hazardous structures and continue to risk their lives, especially during the monsoon season.
According to Darekar, while the arrival of the monsoon is generally welcomed, it brings fear and uncertainty for families residing in unsafe buildings. He noted that the redevelopment of approximately 13,800 old and dilapidated buildings in Mumbai has remained stalled for several years, leaving residents vulnerable to such disasters.
The BJP Legislature Party leader sought detailed information from the government regarding the Walkeshwar incident. He questioned whether the collapsed building had been officially declared dangerous, whether alternative accommodation had been provided to its occupants by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), and what steps had been taken toward its redevelopment.
Darekar also demanded clarity on the government's action plan to protect residents living in similarly unsafe structures across Mumbai. Warning that several such buildings could collapse at any time, he urged the state government and MHADA to expedite redevelopment projects and implement preventive measures on a war footing to avoid further loss of life.
Following the discussion, Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Sachin Ahir directed the Maharashtra government to initiate prompt action on the matter.
