Mumbai, June 25: Lawyer-activist Abha Singh has blamed the "Builder-Babu-Neta nexus" for the collapse of an under construction wall in Wadala's Lloyds Estate in the wee hours of Monday amid the incessant rainfall. The Bombay High Court advocate said the recent "dilutions" in law by the Maharashtra government, in an alleged bid to benefit the builder lobby, led to the near-fatal landslide.

Pointing out to the recent amendment in the Development Control Regulations (1991) which uplifted the limit on basement excavation, Singh said the rule was abused by Dosti Realtors, which caused the loosening of the soil holding the neighbouring 32-storey Lloyds Estate.

"Today's landslide at Lloyd's Estate in Wadala resulted from gigantic basement excavation by Dosti builders right till plot boundary, making soil unstable. State Government diluted basement norms to favour builders," she added.

As per the DC Regulation 38, the basement area was limited to twice the plinth area of the plot. The state government, however, moved an amendment striking down the rule.

In a subsequent amendment moved, the rule to restrict basement size to "one or two level" was also removed.

"Further, as per approved plans, Dosti Builders were supposed to provide a 650 mm retaining wall, which also does not appear to have been provided," the lawyer further pointed out.

The Antop Hill police station has registered a case against Dosti Realty Limited under sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 287 (Negligent conduct with respect to machinery).

While no deaths were reported in the wall collapse today, a 37-year-old woman was left injured. Parts of the Lloyd Estate has been evacuated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2018 10:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).