Moshi: Collapsed Building Was Approved Only for Ground Floor, Records Raise Questions Over Two Additional Floors

Pimpri Chinchwad, 12th July 2026: Fresh questions have emerged over the administrative building damaged in the Moshi garbage dump tragedy after official records indicated that the structure had been sanctioned only as a ground-floor (G+0) building, while the actual construction appears to have included two additional floors.

The discrepancy between the approved building plan and the existing structure has triggered concerns over possible violations of construction norms and whether the additional floors had received the necessary approvals.

According to available municipal records, the Waste-to-Energy Project was granted its initial building permission on June 17, 2014. Later, in 2019, the Environment Department submitted a proposal to the Building Permission Department for constructing an administrative office.

The proposal, based on plans prepared by architect Aniruddha Dixit and submitted by the Executive Engineer, sought approval only for a ground-floor building with a built-up area of 500.59 square metres. Municipal records show that approval was granted for the ground floor alone.

However, the building that was eventually constructed appears to have comprised the ground floor and two additional storeys. Available documents do not clearly indicate whether separate approvals were obtained for the extra floors, raising questions over the legality of the construction.

The issue has come under scrutiny following the July 8 collapse, when a massive heap of garbage slid onto the building, causing extensive damage and resulting in multiple fatalities.

Completion Certificate Issued Within 24 Hours

Records also show that the building received revised approval on July 26, 2023, and a completion (occupancy) certificate was issued just 24 hours later, on July 27, 2023.

However, the available documentation indicates that the completion certificate, too, was issued only for the 500.59 sq. m. ground-floor structure. This has further intensified questions about the legality of the upper floors that existed at the site.

Timeline of Approvals and Incident

• June 17, 2014: Initial building permission granted for the Waste-to-Energy project.
• November 11, 2019: Approval granted for a 500.59 sq. m. ground-floor administrative building.
• July 26, 2023: Revised building approval issued.
• July 27, 2023: Completion (occupancy) certificate issued for the ground-floor structure.
• July 8, 2026: Garbage mound collapsed, severely damaging the building.

Questions Over Accountability

The revelations have raised serious questions about accountability within the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), particularly since the civic body regularly takes action against unauthorised constructions across the city.

The apparent mismatch between the approved plans and the building that was actually constructed has put the spotlight on the officials and departments responsible for granting permissions and monitoring compliance. Following the tragedy, different departments have reportedly pointed fingers at one another, prompting demands for a comprehensive inquiry to determine responsibility for the alleged violations.

Confirming the sanctioned plan, Manoj Sethia, City Engineer, PCMC, said, “According to our records, permission was granted only for a 500.59 sq. m. ground-floor building, and the completion certificate was also issued only for that ground-floor structure.”