Pune: Structural Audits Ordered For Hoardings After Mumbai Tragedy

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande

Pune, 14th May 2024: Yesterday, in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, a large hoarding collapsed due to heavy rains, a sandstorm, and strong winds. This incident resulted in the loss of 14 lives and left over 70 people injured. In light of this accident, the Pune District Collector’s Office has directed all hoarding owners in Pune to conduct structural audits.

With the rainy season nearing and the onset of mango showers already observed in the Pune district, it is imperative to ensure the safety of all hoardings. These rains are accompanied by heavy downpours and strong winds, underscoring the importance of conducting structural audits for all hoardings in Pune.

Resident Deputy District Collector Jyoti Kadam, who is the CEO of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), has issued directives regarding this matter, instructing all authorities in the Pune district to take appropriate actions. The order stipulates the following:

1. Considering the forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which indicates the possibility of gusty winds, unseasonal rains, and rainfall during the upcoming monsoon season, measures must be taken to prevent loss of life and disruption of traffic. To achieve this, a fresh structural audit of all permitted hoardings should be conducted, and the respective holders must be notified to submit proof of the audit within 15 days.

2. Any hoardings within their jurisdiction lacking a valid structural audit should be deemed unauthorized by the relevant authorities. Immediate action should be taken to remove such unauthorized hoardings after issuing notices to the respective holders. Additionally, strict measures must be enforced against all unauthorized hoardings, prioritizing those that pose a significant danger and obstruct traffic.

If the concerned officer fails to submit the certified certificate of the new structural audit after maintaining daily oversight of the task, or if notices issued to hoarding holders who have not conducted structural audits previously are disregarded, a report detailing the actions taken must be submitted to this office.

The structural audit of hoardings has been prompted not only by the recent incident in Mumbai but also by occurrences within Pune itself. In April of last year, five individuals were crushed to death in Pune when an iron hoarding collapsed on them amid strong winds on a service road in the Pimpri Chinchwad. Additionally, just last month, another hoarding collapsed in the Wagholi area of Pune. Both the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation have been consistently taking action to address these issues.