AUGUST 20: Additional Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad today promised action against the developer, architect and structural engineer of the Pravin Smruti Apartments in Vile Parle (east), which collapsed on Saturday night.

Addressing the general body meeting of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation after corporators criticised the administration for its negligence, Gaikwad said it was wrong to hold the BMC responsible for the collapse.

He said the building plans had been approved by the building proposals department of the concerned ward office in 1982, and an occupation certificate had been given to the builders in April 1985. ``Pravin Smruti Aprtments was a private building, and the BMC should not be blamed for its collapse.''

Gaikwad said the BMC gives all necessary permissions on the basis of the certificates issued by the architect and the structural engineer of a private building. Day to day inspection at site, the building's structural stability and other details are not the BMC's responsibility. All permissions are given to the builder or developer as per the Development Control rules and guidelines of the state government, he added.

Referring to demands for amending the BMC Act to take action against the builders, Gaikwad said, ``It will be impossible for the BMC to keep a check on quality control of all private constructions even if this is done.'' The issue came up for discussion when BJP's Suryakant Bait raised a point of order demanding action against the builders. Leader of the house Nandu Satam demanded that a committee be formed to investigate all building collapses.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.