Pune: Negligence and Poor Workmanship Blamed for Bhosari Water Tank Collapse, Five Lives Lost
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Bhosari, 24th October 2024: The death toll has risen to five following the collapse of a water tank in Pimpri Chinchwad. A case has been registered against several individuals, with the tank builder already arrested for negligence. The newly built water tank, which was being used by workers living in a labor camp, burst this morning, leading to the deaths of five workers and injuring several others. The incident occurred around 6:30 AM in Sadguru Nagar, Bhosari.
One of the laborers from the camp, Santosh Kumar Ram Naresh Sahani (age 35, resident of Bhosari; native of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh), filed a complaint at the Bhosari Police Station. In response, the police have arrested Kumar Bharat Lomte, the contractor responsible for building the tank. Lomte is facing charges under BNS Sections 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(A) (acts endangering life or personal safety – causing hurt), and 125(B) (acts endangering life or personal safety – causing grievous hurt).
The deceased have been identified as Naveen Jonna, Malla Mahakur, Sonu Kumar, Ravindra Kumar, and Sudam Behra, all of whom were residents of the labor camp in Sadguru Nagar.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Pimpri Chinchwad City President Sachin Chikhale demanded that charges also be brought against the individual who constructed the camp and the concerned beat inspector of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). MNS leaders met with the Senior Police Inspector of Bhosari Police Station to submit a formal letter before the case was officially registered.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Swapna Gore, the laborers were bathing near the water tanker when it suddenly burst. The tank’s walls, along with water and debris, collapsed onto the workers, resulting in the fatalities and injuries. Residents of the labor camp allege that the tank was poorly constructed by unskilled laborers, leading to the disaster.
The workers were employed at a construction site for NCCL Building in Landewadi, Bhosari, and were residing in temporary accommodations at the labor camp. Around 350 workers lived in the camp, which had been outsourced to a company called Shri Vinayak Industrial Services, owned by Kumar Bharat Lomte. Despite complaints from workers about inadequate water supply, the same tank that collapsed had been constructed just a couple of days ago by Shri Vinayak Industrial Services.
The laborers, along with the complainant and MNS leaders, allege that the tank was built with substandard materials and poor workmanship, making the builder directly responsible for the tragedy. The Bhosari Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
In response to the incident, Pradeep Jambhale Patil, Additional Commissioner of PCMC, stated, “There is a colony of 800 people from the NCCL company in a two-acre area. This place is in a red zone, and the tin sheds are unauthorized. Two days ago, a seven-foot-high water tank made of cement blocks was built. After being filled with water, the tank collapsed, causing the accident. Notices will be issued to the premises’ owner and the occupants.”
PCMC officials are now facing calls to take action against those responsible for the unauthorized and unsafe structures in the area.
