Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SP)
Updated
Mumbai, Aug 4: Five of a family from Bantwal were among the 11 who lost their lives when a three-storied building, Krishna Nivas, located in B-Cabin area by the side of suburban Thane station here came crashing down at around 2.50 am on Tuesday August 4.
It is said that this building, located in Pagdi Chawl, was inhabited by some persons of Bantwal origin, whose forefathers for long lived behind Lord Venkataramana Temple, Bantwal, since the last four decades. The deceased have been identified as Ramachandra Panduranga Bhat (62), his Meera Panduranga Bhat (58), their daughters Ruchitha Bhat (23) and Rashmi Ramachandra Bhat (25), and Subraya (Subhas) Bhat (56).
Ramachandra Bhat was a social worker and was engaged in catering. He was an active member of GSB Seva Samaj in Thane. Among the two daughters, Rashmi had married Karan Mangey of Gujarat just two months ago and had shifted to Dubai. She came to her parental house just two days ago. The younger daughter Ruchita was yet to be married and was staying with her parents. Subraya, the brother of Ramachandra Bhat and employee of Gulf Oil in Mumbai, was staying with the family.
Ramachandra Bhat's other brothers Sadashiva Bhat, Pramod Bhat and his wife Shankari (Bantwal), Padmanabha Bhat (BC Road) and Vaman Bhat (Hyderabad) have arrived in Thane. As per their wish, the final rites would be held in Thane, family sources said.
Leaders of the GSB community expressed shock and condolences at the sad demise of Ramachandra Bhat and his family.
The 50-year-old building that collapsed was in a dilapidated state and posed risk to its inhabitants. Officials of Thane Municipal Corporations and ward officials had served notices on the residents of this building to vacate it. Locals said that the devastation and loss of lives happened because of the fact that the residents of the building refused to vacate the building.
Reportedly, there has been a long-standing wrangle in the court between the owners of the building and builders over this building. So far, 11 bodies have been identified, while ten more have rescued and hospitalized. It is gathered that the condition of seven among the injured is critical. Firemen as well as local volunteers have been engaged frantically in rescue work. Thane police officials have registered a case and taken up investigation.
Spokespersons of the government and Maharashtra administration said that they have taken serious view of this incident, duly adding that appropriate steps are being taken.