Ghatkopar building collapse: Narendra Modi sanctions Rs 2 lakh for kin of deceased, Rs 50,000 for injured

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sanctioned Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the building collapse in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar. He also approved Rs 50,000 each for those injured in the building collapse, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced in Legislative Council on Wednesday that the family of those killed in the incident will be given an exgratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each. A total of 17 people were killed when a four-storey residential building collapsed in suburban Ghatkopar on 25 July. The structure, Siddhi Sai Apartment, came down on at Ghatkopar’s Damodar Park area and housed around 15 families. [caption id=“attachment_3854269” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of rescue operations being held in Ghatkopar. Image courtesy: Sanjay Sawant[/caption] The search and rescue operation by 47-member team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) pulled out 11 people from the debris. One of the survivors was rescued eight hours after he made a call to his son from under the rubble to inform that he was safe. Although the direct reason for the collapse was unknown, it was speculated that the incident occurred due to renovation work undertaken by Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap in the complex. Shitap was soon arrested under 304(2) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta announced an inquiry immediately after the incident, a report of which will be submitted 15 days from the day of the collapse. The Opposition blamed the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for turning a blind eye to the complaints of the residents about the unauthorised works that were carried out on the structure’s ground floor. To establish their anguish, the residents of the complex met Fadnavis on on 27 July. They demanded strict action against the culprits and also informed the chief minister about their  rehabilitation requirements.