Panic swept through Tridhaatu Aaroha Cooperative Housing Society in Matunga (East) on Monday afternoon when the building’s puzzle parking system collapsed, crushing at least five cars. While there were no injuries, the accident has raised serious questions about negligence by the developer, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the contractor engaged for the parking system.
What Happened
Residents reported a loud crash around 3:15 pm, after which they discovered that the puzzle parking structure had given way. Vehicles buried under the collapsed system include:
- Tata Vista – owned by Archana Parag Adani (Flat 1601)
- MG Hector – owned by Shubhalaxmi Ganesh Shahigal (Flat 901)
- Maruti Suzuki Ritz – owned by Dinesh Velji Shah (Flat 401)
- Renault Kwid – owned by Gautam Thakur, used by Mrudula Vijay Vayangankar (Flat 601)
- Hyundai Getz – owned by resident Suken Vasant Shah.
Govind Muthukumar, Director at Tridhaatu Realty, responded to the incident saying:
“We had given soft possession to residents to carry out fit-out works, but many began residing there over the past year. Our Occupancy Certificate was delayed due to certain technical reasons; however, we have applied for it and are hopeful of receiving it within the next three months. The puzzle parking maintenance was being handled by the residents through a third-party agency when the incident occurred.”
Accountability in Question
- BMC’s Role
Despite residents occupying flats since 2024, Tridhaatu Aaroha has not received its Occupancy Certificate (OC) from BMC. Allowing possession and continued residence without OC points to glaring enforcement failures that put buyers’ lives and property at risk. - Developer’s Negligence
The project’s developer, Tridhaatu Realty, handed over possession without securing OC clearance. Such premature handovers violate norms and leave residents vulnerable to safety lapses. - Contractor’s Responsibility
The collapsed system had been installed and was under work by Spartan Tech, the contractor responsible for the puzzle parking mechanism. Lapses in installation, servicing, or safety oversight are now under police investigation.
Residents Pay the Price
Families who invested in the project are now left to deal with crushed vehicles, shaken confidence in the building’s safety, and the possibility that insurance claims may be rejected due to the absence of an OC. For many, the collapse is not just about damaged cars—it is about living in a home that has not been certified as safe for occupancy.
The Larger Picture
While police have initiated proceedings against the contractor, experts say accountability cannot stop there. Unless BMC enforces its own rules and developers are penalized for handing over flats without OC, such avoidable collapses will continue to endanger homebuyers across Mumbai.
Also Read: Homebuyers Win Big: Tribunal Nixes Builder Moratorium, Orders Compensation for Delays
