The recent Building Collapse at Thane (Mumbai), that claimed 72 lives ( and counting) was an apt example of how safety norms are being ignored in most of the Buildings. 72 people were killed and roughly same number of people were injured.  According to a witness, “The building collapsed like a pack of cards within three to four seconds.”
The building, with offices and apartments, was under construction for six weeks prior to the disaster. The first four stories of the building were illegally inhabited by construction workers who were working on the building and families whose children attended tuition classes in the building.  It is believed that the builder wanted the building to be inhabited to prevent it being demolished.
Unscrupulous builders often pay hefty bribes to authorities who turn a blind eye to these illegal structures and do not take any action against the builders.
Illegal buildings are attractive to lower income people because of the low housing costs. Within the Mumbai itself, there are estimated to be hundreds of illegal structures that have been built.
The building collapse appeared to be the result of poor quality building material and being “weakly built”, says Police. These builders often do not follow proper building practices and laws, nor execute proper safety measures. Poor construction materials are also to blame in these circumstances.
An unidentified local witness stated that: “They made an eight-story building of what was supposed to be a four-story building. People from the municipality used to visit the building but the builder still continued to add floors.”
Ramesh Patil, a local legislator, stated that the week before the incident he had complained to the Authorities that the building was unfit and it was not a legal building. Nothing was done, however, to have prevented the deaths and injuries when the building collapsed.
Based on the above episode, we are releasing an advisory to our readers who plan to buy a flat or property with the builders.
1. Ensure that the floor that you are buying is approved.  Ask for the approved plan of the building along with the number of floors. Most of the Builders increase the number of floors without getting the appropriate clearance.
2. Check the building bye-laws as applicable in that area and ensure that the builder is building without any violation of front setback, side setbacks, height, etc. If the Building is not ready, ask for commencement Certificate issued by Municipal Corporation, else if the building is finished, demand the Completion Certificate issued by Municipal Corporation.
3. Ensure that urban land ceiling NOC (if applicable) has been obtained or not. NOC from water and electricity authorities also have to be obtained.
4. If possible, check that the adjacent buildings too follow safety measures. If a tall neighboring building collapses, your life can be be at risk too.
5. If the building is under-construction, check the quality of construction material used and compare it with those claimed by the Builders. You may seek  the help of some  Civil Engineer friend or do some research about it on the web.
6. If you are not satisfied with any of the above, do not buy it. Your life is most important, afterall.