According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC), the cave-in was caused by excavation work being carried out for an under-construction residential building. The excavation weakened the adjoining land, creating a hazardous situation for the neighbouring property.
RDMC Chief Yasin Tadvi said the excavation for the building project caused a section of land to collapse, leaving a tree and the compound wall within the premises of the adjacent building in an extremely dangerous condition. While no one was injured in the incident, authorities immediately initiated precautionary measures to minimise the risk of further structural damage.
Following the cave-in, emergency teams from the Regional Disaster Management Cell, the Public Works Department, the Fire Brigade and the Tree Authority reached the site with utility vehicles and a hydraulic lifter. Officials conducted an assessment of the affected area, secured the site and implemented safety measures to protect nearby residents and pedestrians.
As the excavation had left a large tree leaning dangerously towards the adjoining property, the Tree Authority removed it to eliminate the immediate threat. Officials continued monitoring the site while ensuring that surrounding structures remained safe.
According to civic authorities, the project developer has already initiated immediate soil stabilisation work to strengthen the excavation site and prevent any additional cave-ins. Yasin Tadvi stated that further action would be taken by the construction and town planning departments after the necessary assessment. Authorities are also expected to examine whether all prescribed safety measures were followed during the excavation work.
The latest incident comes a day after another structural failure was reported in Thane's Naupada area. On Friday morning, at around 9.30 am, a portion of the boundary wall of a dilapidated bungalow collapsed onto a busy road. No injuries were reported in that incident either.
Following the wall collapse, disaster management personnel, along with officials from the Public Works Department and the anti-encroachment department, cleared the debris using a pickup vehicle and a JCB machine, restoring normal traffic movement.
The Thane Municipal Corporation stated that the bungalow had already been classified as a Category C-1 structure, indicating that it was in a dangerous condition, unfit for occupation and required immediate demolition. Officials confirmed that the structural vulnerability of the property had already been identified before the boundary wall collapsed.
The back-to-back incidents in Naupada have intensified concerns over construction safety and the condition of ageing structures in the area. With excavation work and structurally unsafe properties posing significant risks, civic authorities are expected to closely examine compliance with safety regulations while continuing efforts to safeguard residents and public infrastructure.
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