Archive · 26 Jul 2026
PCMC Takes Action Against Fire Officer Over Moshi Building Collapse
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in Pune has started taking action against a fire officer named Rishikant Chipade.
They say he approved a final Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a building at the Moshi garbage depot without checking the building plan or visiting the site.
This building later collapsed during a tragedy on July 8, where a huge pile of garbage fell on the administrative building of a waste-to-energy plant.
Twenty-three people were trapped, nine were rescued, and nine people died.
The PCMC says the building had two extra floors that were not approved.
They have asked the fire officer to explain why he should not be punished.
Earlier, two other officials were also suspended for their role in the incident.
PCMC issued a show-cause notice to Fire Officer Rishikant Chipade for allegedly approving a final Fire NOC without verifying the revised building plan or conducting a site inspection.
The building collapsed during the Moshi tragedy on July 8, trapping 23 people, with nine rescued and nine deaths.
The approved building plan was for a ground-floor structure, but the Fire Department issued a final NOC for a three-storey building.
PCMC alleges that the fire officer may have violated provisions of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules and other regulations.
The fire officer has been directed to submit a written explanation; failing to do so, further action will be taken.
- Who
- Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Fire Officer Rishikant Chipade
- What
- Disciplinary action against Fire Officer Rishikant Chipade for alleged negligence in granting a final Fire NOC for the Moshi building
- When
- Show-cause notice issued on July 17; Moshi tragedy on July 8
- Where
- Moshi garbage depot, Pune
- Why
- Alleged negligence in verifying the revised building plan and conducting a site inspection
PCMC's Disciplinary Action
Fire Officer's Defense
Negligence in Granting Fire NOC
PCMC's Disciplinary Action
PCMC alleges that the fire officer granted a final Fire NOC without verifying the revised building plan or conducting a site inspection.
Fire Officer's Defense
The fire officer may argue that the process was followed as per standard procedures and that the negligence was not intentional.
Disciplinary Action
PCMC's Disciplinary Action
PCMC believes disciplinary action, including suspension, is warranted due to the officer's alleged negligence.
Fire Officer's Defense
The fire officer may contend that the action is premature and that a thorough investigation should be conducted before any disciplinary measures are taken.
- Date of Show-Cause Notice
- July 17
- Date of Provisional Fire NOC
- May 2019
- Date of Final Fire NOC
- July 26, 2023
- Date of Moshi Tragedy
- July 8
- Number of People Trapped
- 23
- Number of Rescued
- 9
- Number of Deaths
- 9
- Approved Built-Up Area
- 500.59 square metres
- Actual Built-Up Area
- 1,056.60 square metres