Days after Virar building collapse that killed 17, authorities demolish another illegal apartment near Mumbai

VASAI: Authorities in Maharashtra have demolished a five-storey apartment block in Nalasopara, near Mumbai, after cracks were spotted in one of its pillars. The move came just days after another illegal building in the area collapsed, killing 17 people and injuring nine. The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) said 240 residents were evacuated from the Asifa Apartments and a neighbouring building before demolition began on Wednesday. Fire brigade teams and police officers monitored the operation to ensure nearby structures were not damaged. Assistant Municipal Commissioner Alka Khaire said the demolition was necessary for safety reasons. “We had already vacated the adjacent building yesterday and demolished the apartment today after a pillar was found exposed,” she said. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of last week’s collapse and issued notices to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary and Director General of Police. It has asked for a detailed report within two weeks. The commission noted that while the buildings were unauthorised and over a decade old, residents were still paying property taxes to the VVCMC, believing them to be legal. The collapse last week left dozens trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), worked for 38 hours to pull survivors and recover bodies before the remains of the building were razed. Officials say several such unauthorised structures in the region pose a continuing risk, with many built close together without adequate safety clearances.