Pune, 14th July 2026: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) investigation has found that the three-storey administrative building that collapsed at the Moshi Waste-to-Energy plant was built illegally. Officials discovered that permission had been granted only for the ground floor, while the first and second floors were constructed without approval.
The probe has also revealed that Executive Engineer Yogesh Alhat allegedly misled senior officials by stating that the building was authorised. Following these findings, PCMC Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi has issued a suspension notice to the engineer.
The Moshi Waste-to-Energy project, operated by Antony Lara Enviro Solutions on behalf of the civic body, has remained shut since its chimney collapsed last month.
On July 8, a massive mound of old garbage slid onto the project's three-storey administrative building, causing it to collapse. Eight workers died in the building collapse, while another worker was buried under the garbage, taking the death toll to nine.
The inquiry found that the original proposal submitted in 2019 planned an administrative building with a built-up area of 249 square metres, located 30 metres away from the sanitary landfill.
However, the revised proposal approved in 2023 permitted a built-up area of 1,500.99 square metres only for the ground floor. Despite this, the company allegedly constructed two additional floors without obtaining permission.
Investigators also found that the building was actually constructed just 12 metres away from the garbage mound instead of the approved 30 metres, raising serious concerns over compliance with safety norms and building regulations.
Based on the preliminary findings, the civic administration has initiated disciplinary action against Executive Engineer Yogesh Alhat for allegedly providing incorrect information regarding the building's approvals. The investigation into the incident and the alleged construction violations is continuing.
