Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, voiced his dismay on Tuesday over the tragic hoarding collapse incident in Mumbai, which claimed the lives of up to 14 individuals and left 74 others injured.
Describing the incident as ‘unacceptable,’ Anand Mahindra took to social media to express his condolences and call for immediate action. In a tweet, he wrote, “14 dead. Om Shanti. 60 injured. From a billboard collapse. Unacceptable. And we’re a city trying to transform itself into a modern metropolis. CM @mieknathshinde has ordered a probe into all hoardings. Stringent rules must follow.”
The incident occurred in Ghatkopar’s Pant Nagar area, where a massive hoarding measuring 120 x 120 feet collapsed due to strong winds and rain. Shocking CCTV footage captured the harrowing moment as the towering structure crashed onto several cars’ roofs before hitting the ground.
Investigations revealed that the hoarding exceeded the permitted size of 40 x 40 feet, raising concerns about lax enforcement of regulations governing such structures. Furthermore, reports indicated that Ego Media installed the hoarding on a plot leased to the Police Welfare Corporation by the Maharashtra government’s Police Housing Division.
Anand Mahindra’s statement reflects widespread outrage and calls for urgent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. With the Chief Minister ordering a probe into all hoardings and advocating for stringent rules, hopes are high for robust regulatory reforms to ensure public safety and prevent such incidents from recurring.
As the city mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, Anand Mahindra’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for accountability and action to prevent avoidable disasters in urban spaces.