Navi Mumbai, excavation work for a commercial building under construction triggered a cave-in near Mangal Tower, a residential high-rise in Sector 15, CBD-Belapur, on Tuesday night. The collapse of the drive-in area left residents panicked, with many rushing out of their apartments for safety.
According to Ranesh Kokate, the Fire Officer for CBD-Belapur, the rescue teams responded swiftly upon being alerted about the cave-in. “Upon receiving information about the road collapse, our rescue team immediately reached the location,” Kokate said. The cave-in caused visible cracks in the drive-in road within the Mangal Tower premises. As a precautionary measure, all residents were evacuated immediately to ensure their safety. The excavation work was being carried out by the developer of an adjacent commercial building, and it was found that the cave-in did not affect the structure of Mangal Tower itself. The NMMC’s engineering team conducted an inspection and confirmed that the building remained structurally sound. However, some residents chose to leave the building, locking their apartments and moving to relatives’ homes for added security.
Somnath Kekan, the additional town planning officer for NMMC, explained that the town planning department had summoned the VJTI team to conduct a thorough inspection and prepare a technical report to determine the exact cause of the cave-in. Once the report is received, the developer responsible for the excavation will be served with a notice, and legal action will follow.
This incident has raised concerns over the safety of excavation and construction work near residential areas, prompting local authorities to review safety protocols. While the building itself has been declared safe, the impact on residents’ peace of mind cannot be ignored. The situation highlights the need for stricter oversight and precautionary measures in the construction of commercial buildings, particularly when they are in close proximity to residential complexes. As authorities continue their investigation, it is expected that stricter guidelines for excavation work will be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
