‘Rain to blame for collapse’

BHIWANDI: Sunil Chavan, additional commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), who monitored the rescue operations, said, “Most buildings collapse in mid-July

BHIWANDI: Sunil Chavan, additional commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), who monitored the rescue operations, said, “Most buildings collapse in mid-July or August. This is because the buildings get completely soaked in the rain, making the structure unstable. Substandard construction material makes matters worse.” According to experts, most people staying in such buildings are tenants and hence never reach a consensus on redevelopment of the building

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According to the government rules, at least 70% of tenants should be ready for redevelopment. “This never happens. So the government is mulling relaxing and re-framing the rules. In most cases, the owners are not living in the state or are well-to-do and hence are not bothered about redevelopment,” said Chavan

“Occupants have a long list of demands, while the developer looks at his interest. As occupants are not ready to shell out even a minimum amount, they never reach an agreement,” said a BNMC official.