1 week ago
Kurla Demolition Crane Collapse Injures 10; Contractor Fined ₹25 Lakh
A crane fell while workers were demolishing an unfinished building in Kurla, Mumbai.
It hit railway wires and damaged homes, vehicles and a compound wall.
Ten people were hurt, including a three-month-old baby.
The injured people were taken to Sion Hospital and Kurla Bhabha Hospital, and all were reported to be stable.
The building had never been occupied because officials found it unsafe.
MMRDA had hired a contractor to demolish it.
MMRDA fined the contractor ₹25 lakh and told it to help pay medical and repair costs.
Officials are investigating why the crane fell and whether safety rules were followed.
Passenger trains were not affected.
A hydraulic crane collapsed during demolition of an incomplete Kurla building around 2 a.m. on August 21, injuring 10 people, including a three-month-old infant.
The crane struck railway overhead equipment, hutments, an MHADA compound wall, the road and three to four vehicles.
MMRDA imposed a ₹25 lakh penalty on demolition contractor Total Construction Pvt. Ltd. and ordered it to cover medical and property-damage costs.
Central Railway said passenger services were unaffected because the incident occurred primarily on a goods line.
The building, constructed by HDIL in 2005, had about 500 tenements and was declared unsafe and unsuitable for habitation in 2021.
- Who
- Ten people were injured; MMRDA acted against demolition contractor Total Construction Pvt. Ltd.
- What
- A hydraulic crane collapsed during demolition, injuring people and damaging nearby property and railway overhead equipment.
- Where
- Near Qureshi Nagar and Samrat Ashok Nagar in Kurla, along the Kurla-Trombay railway section in Mumbai.
- When
- The collapse occurred around 2 a.m. on August 21, 2026.
- Why
- The building was being demolished after a 2021 structural audit found it unsafe; the cause of the crane collapse remains under investigation.
Official Response
Safety Concerns
Accountability
Official Response
MMRDA said it had taken immediate steps to assist victims, imposed a ₹25 lakh penalty and would consider further action after the investigation.
Safety Concerns
The collapse has raised questions about the demolition contractor’s safety arrangements, particularly because the site was near occupied settlements and railway infrastructure.
Railway disruption
Official Response
Central Railway said passenger services were unaffected because the location was primarily a goods line.
Safety Concerns
The crane nevertheless came into contact with railway overhead equipment, creating a potential infrastructure and safety hazard.
Key facts
- Injuries
- Ten people were injured, including a three-month-old infant; all were reported stable.
- Penalty
- MMRDA imposed a ₹25 lakh penalty on Total Construction Pvt. Ltd.
- Damage
- Hutments, an MHADA compound wall, the road and three to four vehicles were damaged.
- Railway impact
- The crane struck railway overhead equipment, but Central Railway said passenger services were unaffected.
- Building
- The structure had ground plus 16 upper floors, six wings and approximately 500 tenements.
- Building history
- HDIL constructed the building in 2005 under an SRA scheme; it remained incomplete and unoccupied.
- Assistance
- The contractor was directed to pay medical expenses and repair or compensate for damaged hutments and vehicles.
Quotes
Central Railway
The railway authority commenting on train operations after the crane accident
“No impact on movement as this is primarily a goods line. Responsibility of MMRDA.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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