Building collapse forces BBMP to pull up socks, suspend AE & stop constructions

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively working to find the labourers who are still trapped in a multi-storeyed, under construction building which collapsed in Babusapalya on Tuesday. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a building in Bengaluru” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar vowed to take strict action against the owner and contractor, stating, “There was no permission given. Illegal activities were going on.

We will take action against everyone involved.” Bengaluru Police have registered an FIR at Hennur Police Station against three individuals: Munirajareddy the owner, Muniyappa, the contractor and Elumalai, the mason, connected to the collapse. Bhuvan Reddy, the son of Munirajareddy, has been arrested, along with contractor Muniyappa, as authorities pursue charges under the BNS and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have pulled up its socks, in the usual kneejerk style. After suspending Vinay K, the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Assistant Engineer Ramesh K was also suspended for dereliction of duty. Officials have also stopped construction of two buildings in the Mahadevapura zone.

In survey number 54/1, Nanjappa Garden, 4th Cross Road, Horamavu, a ground +five floors building owned by Puttappa, constructed on a 10 X 25 plot of land, was found illegal. A clearance operation for the same was carried out. A dilapidated building in Islampur near HAL was demolished, after it showed dangerous signs of collapsing. The ground plus one floor building owned by Sriram was cleared and the debris is being shifted.