A massive tragedy struck Mumbai on Monday as a billboard collapsed during an unexpected dust storm, resulting in the unfortunate loss of 14 lives. The illegal hoarding, according to a Times of India report, belonged to Bhavesh Bhide, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency responsible for erecting it in Ghatkopar. A case has been registered against Bhide and others at Pant Nagar police station under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to Ego Media Pvt Ltd, demanding the removal of eight other hoardings in the region within 10 days. The municipal body has also threatened to cancel licenses for any hoardings in the 24 civic wards. Notably, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had previously lodged a complaint about the illegal hoardings, leading to the BMC sending a notice to the advertising firm.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the incident site late Monday evening and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. He emphasized that any hoardings found to be illegal and dangerous would be removed immediately. Expressing grief over the incident, Shinde assured that the government would investigate and hold the responsible parties accountable. He also directed the BMC commissioner to conduct a structural audit of all city hoardings and remove those found to be illegal or hazardous.
In a compassionate gesture, Shinde announced financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the kin of each person who lost their life in the hoarding collapse. The Mumbai thunderstorm incident left at least 14 people dead and dozens injured when a huge billboard collapsed on them during the storm. The billboard fell on houses and a petrol station late Monday evening, trapping many individuals. Rescue operations continued into Tuesday morning, with 74 people reported to have been taken to hospitals, of whom 31 have been discharged.
This incident underscores the need to address concerns about illegal hoardings and enforce strict safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
