Haphazard renovations led to inferno: NDMA

The two-member National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) team, after inspecting the sixth and seven floors of Mantralaya on Wednesday, said haphazard renovations worsened the fire. The team will submit its report to the state by Wednesday night.

A holistic approach to renovation, avoiding inflammable material, extensions and terraced lawns would have helped, the team said. “There is no major damage to the structure.


But had there been holistic planning during renovation, a damage of this proportion could have been avoided,” said Ravi Sinha, professor of structural engineering department, IIT-Bombay and NDMA team member. The CM’s cabin remained intact as it had brick walls till the ceiling. If other cabins had been retained full walls, they would not have burnt down, Sinha said.

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