It’s BMC versus MHADA versus the Saifee trust

After the tragedy, the blame game begins. Even as rescue workers were pulling out the dead and the injured from the debris of the five-storey Hussaini building no one was willing to take responsibility for the disaster. The agencies were busy blaming each other for the disaster.

The BMC washed its hands off the tragedy, saying that the building was in the special economic zone administered by the Maharashtra Housing And Development Authority. And MHADA officials argued that residents of the Hussaini building, that was declared dangerous to live in, were served evacuation notices much before.

It was the responsibility of the developer, Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), to evict the owners/tenents.

Afrooz Malik, a local activist from Jai Ho Foundation, said BMC is also culpable. “MHADA gives notice and BMC is informed about it as light and water connections have to be disconnected. However, after the notice was served, BMC officials took no action,” he said, adding that it was sheer negligence of BMC and MHADA.

Mayor Vishwanth Mahadeshwar squarely blamed MHADA. In the evening, CM Devendra Fadnavis and Housing Minister Prakash Mehta visited the site. “A separate law would be passed which will allow forceful eviction from dilapidated buildings. Now, even after notices are served, people don’t vacate buildings and such mishap occurs,” Mehta said.