Mumbai on Monday witnessed a tragedy when a colossal billboard collapsed during an unprecedented storm. So far, 14 persons have lost their lives. As per national media reports, over 70 others have been injured. The towering structure stood at 100 feet. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has mobilized two teams.
"The 17,000 sqft hoarding was listed in the Limca Book of Records last year. The BMC says it was illegal, unauthorised," wrote journalist Shiv Aroor, expressing outrage.
The residents of Mumbai are outraged and are demanding accountability. "India desperately needs tort jurisdiction. If the BMC knew it was illegal then the BMC commissioner should resign from the services. Compensation in crores should be awarded to the family of the deceased and officers should be held personally liable for that compensation," opined Shubham Gupta. "In any other sane democracy, the company putting the hoarding and the municipal officers approving the placement would have stood trial immediately and perhaps would get life imprisonment if not capital punishment. Not in India. Everyone will go scot-free. Zero value for human life here," wrote Chetan Anantharamu.
Mumbai is notorious for illegal encroachments. "A few years back, we had raised the issue of illegal encroachments dangerously close to residential quarters of a state-run girls' destitute home. The officers reply? 'Half of Mumbai is illegal encroachment'," wrote Amit Thadani, expressing dismay.
https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1790215527924986321
