Raising the concern over increasing the number of building collapse incidents during the last one year, the Bombay High Court declared that authorities like Brihanmumba Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) must show more responsibility rather than shift blame on each other.

The order was given by a bench of Justices VM Kanade and MS Sonak while hearing a plea filed by Hare Krishna developers asking a direction of Mhada to take action against removing tenants from a 90 year old structure which may collapse at any time.

The developer had a deed to re-develop the old structure, while 70 pc of the tenants have agreed, the remaining 30 pc are refusing to vacate the compound despite the builder had given assurance to provide rental arrangements in alternative accommodation.

While the BMC and the fire dept had given their clearances, but the Mhada officials are insisting that the builder should provide alternate accommodation to the tenants.

The accepted that the structure is in a bad condition and likely to collapse any time. Its is unfortunate that Mhada and BMC officials are trying to put blame on each other and the petitioner for delay in evicting the tenants who are not cooperating.

The bench has directed Mhada to hold an investigation and pass appropriate orders within two weeks.