Squall topples illegal, oversized hoarding in Ghatkopar, killing 14

Mumbai: The hoarding which collapsed on a petrol pump in Ghatkopar East on Monday, killing four people and injuring another 74 persons, did not have requisite permissions under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. The District Disaster Management Authority headed by additional municipal commissioner Ashwini Joshi also issued a notice to the GRP under the Disaster Management Act, seeking immediate removal of the remaining three hoardings. The land on which the illegal hoardings stand, including the one that collapsed on Monday, originally belonged to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, said sources in the home department. The pump too did not have requisite permissions from the state police housing corporation, while a nod from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority was secured after commencement of operations, said highly placed sources. After Monday’s incident, Pant Nagar police booked Bhavesh Bhinde, the proprietor of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, and other company representatives under sections 304, 338, 337, 34, said deputy commissioner of police Purshottam Karad.