Moshi tragedy: PCMC relieves 2 engineers of key responsibilities

PCMC commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi removed chief engineer Sanjay Narayan Kulkarni and executive engineer Yogesh Sopan Alhat from key roles pending an inquiry into the Moshi garbage depot tragedy that killed nine people.

Kulkarni headed the environment engineering department; Alhat supervised field operations at the depot.

Both officials were issued show-cause notices for alleged lapses in monitoring operations, enforcing safety measures, and supervising the waste-to-energy contractor.

On July 8, 2026, a garbage slide crushed the administrative building of the waste-to-energy plant; 23 people were trapped, nine died, and nine survivors were rescued after an 83-hour operation.

The notices also question unauthorized construction: the building was built 12 meters from the landfill instead of 30 meters, and two extra floors were added without permission.