Pimpri Chinchwad, 18th August 2026: The interim report of the high-level inquiry committee probing the July 8 accident at the waste-to-energy plant in Moshi, in which nine workers were killed, was submitted to the state government on Monday.
The committee, headed by the divisional commissioner, has reportedly examined the cause of the accident, compliance with safety norms, operational procedures at the project and the primary responsibility of various agencies involved, sources said.
The state government had constituted the independent high-level committee following the accident. As part of its inquiry, the panel inspected the accident site and recorded statements of municipal officials, representatives of the contractor company, technical experts and employees who witnessed the incident. It also examined project approvals, safety clearances, structural plans and maintenance records before submitting its interim report.
The report is expected to contain recommendations on action against individuals and agencies found responsible for lapses.
The accident had raised serious questions over safety arrangements at the project. The committee examined whether the facility had a valid structural stability certificate, whether required safety measures were in place when work was underway, how workers were allowed to enter potentially hazardous areas and which agency was responsible for supervision and monitoring between the municipal corporation and the contractor.
While the interim report has been submitted, the final report is expected to establish the exact cause of the accident and identify technical shortcomings, administrative negligence and those responsible, along with recommendations for action against officials and contractors. The final report is therefore expected to shed light on who was accountable for the deaths of the nine workers.
Meanwhile, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation had suspended chief engineer of the environment department Sanjay Kulkarni and executive engineer Yogesh Alhat for six months following the accident. Their responsibilities were handed over to chief engineer Pramod Ombhase and executive engineer Soham Nikam.
On Monday, however, Nikam was relieved of the executive engineerтАЩs charge, which was handed over to Pankaj Dhende. The change in charge has also triggered discussion within the municipal administration.
