An unauthorized banner carrying the name and images of a Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation councillor and local supporters allegedly caused a temporary power tower to collapse near an artificial immersion pond in Kalyan East, prompting Kolsewadi police to register a case against an unidentified person.
The incident took place near the artificial pond in the Aundharam Nagar area of Khadegolawali, within the limits of KDMC’s D ward. The civic administration had created the pond to help residents immerse Ganpati idols within their neighbourhood. A contractor, M.G. Electrical, had installed a temporary electricity tower at the site to provide lighting during night-time immersion activities.
According to the complaint filed by D ward superintendent Nitin Chaudhary, the tower collapsed at around 2.15 pm on Monday. Ward officials were informed about the incident, following which D ward assistant commissioner Umesh Yamgar visited Khadegolawali and inspected the damaged structure.
During the inspection, officials found a banner measuring approximately 10 feet by 12 feet attached to the temporary tower. The banner carried the name and image of Shinde Shiv Sena councillor Madhur Umesh Mhatre, along with images of other supporters and programme-related photographs. The complaint states that the weight of the banner caused the temporary tower to fall.
The civic administration also found that the banner did not carry an approval number from the municipal property department. Officials said it had been installed without permission from the municipal corporation or the traffic department. The person who installed it could not be identified during the initial inquiry.
The artificial ponds were set up in different parts of the city to provide residents with a local facility for Ganpati immersion. The lighting towers were installed as part of the arrangements managed under the D ward, allowing citizens to use the sites after dark.
KDMC officials treated the incident as both damage and defacement of municipal property. On the basis of Chaudhary’s complaint and guidance from senior officials, Kolsewadi police registered a criminal case against the unidentified person. The police investigation will now focus on identifying who installed the banner and establishing the circumstances that led to the tower’s collapse.
