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This is an archive article published on June 6, 2024

Ghatkopar tragedy | ‘Faulty design, poor foundation, hoarding could withstand wind speed of only a third of required capacity to handle upto 158.4 kmph’: Report

As per rules, hoardings in the city should have the capacity to handle 158.4 kmph speed.

collapseThe institute, which was roped in to conduct the structural audit of the hoarding, also said that it collapsed due to its inadequate/faulty design and poor foundation. (File Photo)

THE hoarding that collapsed in Ghatkopar on May 13, claiming 17 lives, had the capacity to withstand wind speeds of just 49.5 kmph as against the wind speed recorded that day of 87 kmph, a report submitted by the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) to the Mumbai police SIT said. As per rules, hoardings in the city should have the capacity to handle 158.4 kmph speed.

The institute, which was roped in to conduct the structural audit of the hoarding, also said that it collapsed due to its inadequate/faulty design and poor foundation.

An official said, “We have received the interim report from VJTI, which mentions that the structure was weak and was not built to survive wind speeds above 49.5 kmph… rules say any structure in the city should be able to survive wind speed of 158.4 kmph. The foundation of the structure was also weak.”

The officer added, “This has proved our case that the incident happened due to flouting of norms and not due to any ‘act of God’. It also proves that the auditing agency, which gave a safety report was not acting in good faith.”

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai crime branch is probing the hoarding collapse incident. The SIT has so far arrested two accused — Bhavesh Bhinde, proprietor of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, which owned the ill-fated hoarding, and Manoj Ramkrishna Sanghu, a BMC-approved engineer who allegedly gave the stability certificate for 120×140 feet hoarding on April 24, 2023, despite knowing that it was bigger than the maximum size permitted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Bhinde is in judicial custody while Sanghu’s police custody ended on June 5. He was produced in the court and sent to judicial custody, the official added.

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

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