A hoarding collapse incident occurred in Thane on Friday morning, raising concerns about safety protocols in the region. The incident happened months after a similar tragedy in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, where an illegal hoarding collapse killed 17 people.
The wooden hoarding in Thane came crashing down at Sahajanand Chowk of Kalyan at 10:18 am, crushing three vehicles parked below it. The incident was captured on video as heavy rainfall lashed parts of the city. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The exact size of the hoarding is yet to be determined. A rescue team was dispatched to the site, and authorities ruled out the possibility of anyone being trapped under the debris.
This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by poorly maintained or illegally erected hoardings. Following the deadly Ghatkopar collapse in May, the Maharashtra government formed a six-member committee to conduct a high-level inquiry into the incident. The committee’s mandate includes investigating the roles of those responsible for the hoarding and the petrol pump, examining their past records, financial transactions, and potential collusion with officials.
The committee is tasked with evaluating the current process for approving and installing hoardings, recommending improvements to prevent future incidents, and suggesting a policy review for all railway or police land. The key areas of focus include reviewing approval processes, assessing safety protocols and legality, analyzing the land allotment process, and suggesting policy changes to enhance safety and prevent illegal operations.
