The catastrophe highlights the human cost of institutional negligence and duty neglect. The billboard was built in flagrant disregard for local regulations, weighing 250 tonnes and significantly larger than allowed.
Two years ago, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) expressed concerns regarding the hoarding, but no significant steps were done to mitigate the issue. The dangerous complacency and potential corruption in municipal circles are exemplified by the refusal to enforce regulations or demolish the illegal construction.
Source: The Indian Express
Regretfully, there are other similar incidents. Three workmen were instantly killed when a massive hoarding on a highway close to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu collapsed in June of last year. According to the police, it was put there without the civic body’s permission. A young woman in Chennai perished in 2019 after an unauthorised banner fell upon her. These kinds of events indicate a pattern of carelessness and oversights by the authorities that endanger life.
The advertising agency behind the billboard is not the only one with responsibility. The BMC is largely to blame for this infraction since it was ignored despite being made aware of and warned about in the past. It is a necessary but insufficient step to file a case of culpable homicide against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of the advertising agency.
Source: Firstpost
All parties must bear full responsibility for this avoidable tragedy, ensuring total accountability. The underlying regulatory rot cannot be addressed by CM Eknath Shinde’s announcement of compensation. An update to the laws governing outdoor advertising and other dangerous constructions is warranted in light of this accident. To guarantee the protection of the nation’s citizens, strict enforcement of regulations, thorough safety audits, and zero tolerance for infractions are required.
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