Bhiwandi Building Collapse: PM Modi Expresses Grief, Announces Compensation

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the building collapse at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

At least nine people were killed after a four-storey building collapsed on Thursday night. The structure had been declared “dangerous” by civic authorities, and repair work was underway at the time of the incident.

Modi, in a post, said the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families pained him. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the compensation would be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, with Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each victim and Rs 50,000 for every injured person. Rescue and relief operations are continuing at the collapse site.