Bhayandar: The retaining wall of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar Bhavan building in Bhayandar West collapsed even as beautification and restoration work was being carried out at the Mandli Lake.

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) had classified 38 buildings in the area as highly dangerous, and the Nagar Bhavan site was part of a significant rejuvenation project for the lake. The incident occurred on May 14.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. when the wall suddenly toppled over. In response, the fire department quickly evacuated the entire building to ensure the safety of all occupants. Fortunately, the collapse did not result in any structural damage to the main building itself, although a nearby metal shed and four trees were destroyed.

The beautification project at Mandli Lake is being funded through a special grant from the Golden Jubilee Urban Renewal Scheme. The project includes desilting the lake, increasing its depth by eight feet, constructing an RCC wall, installing a fountain, building new steps, and renovating the adjoining garden. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 2.5 crore.