Pramesh S Jain & Binish Thomas (Sub-Editor)
The death toll reaches 8 in the multistoreyed under construction building in Babusapalya in Hennur with rescue team recovered three more dead bodies on the second day on Wednesday .
The deceased have been identified as Arman,26, Mohammed Sahil,Sriram Kirupal,Solo Paswan from Bihar,Manikantan,Satyaraju from Tamil Nadu,Tulasi Reddy from Andhra Pradesh and Phoolchan Yadav from Uttar Pradesh.
The rescue operations re on to track down two more missing labourers identified as Gajendra from Andhra and Elumalai who are suspected to be trapped under the debris .
Meanwhile the injured Jagamma,50,Nagaraju,25, Ramesh Kumar,28,Wakeel Paswan,Arman and Ayaz from Bihar were being treated at different hospitals .
The rescue teams from NDRF have also rescued Arman, 25,Jeeshan, 22,Mohammed Sahil,Rashid,Sitare,Iltaf, Sohail and Pradeep Reddy.
With the latest figured the total number of 24 labourers working in the building.
Meanwhile the police are also looking out for the prime accused identified as Muniraja Reddy and his son Mohan Reddy and the contractors who are on the run.
A 30 members team along with the east division police continue with the rescue operations to track down labourers who are trapped .
The major challenge is to remove the debris and cut the iron grills manually,as using heavy machinery would hamper the operations .
The complainant,Mohammed Arshad,27,a labourer from Bihar in his complaint said that his nephew,Mohammed Arman,19,dead and several others injured .
He blamed the building owner,contractor and mason ignored the material for the construction to save money used sub standard construction materials,despite knowing that this will pose threat to the life and property of the people living in and around.
The building owner,engineer and mason did not provide any safety measures nor taken permission from the authority concerned which led to the incident.
The latest updates by East Division D Devaraja says eight victims have been identified from the site (dead)
Armaan (26) Bihar,.
Mohammaed Sahil, Bihar.
Sri Ran Kirupal (Nihar).
Solo Paswan (Bihar).
Manikantanan (Tamilnadu).
Satyaraju (TN).
Tulsai Reddy (AP).
Pulchan Yadav (AP).
People who are still missing,Gajendra and Yelumalai.
The people who have been rescued till now are
Arman Bin Sagid.
Zeeshan MD.
Mohammad Sahil.
Rasheed Bin Mohammed.
Thitare bin Muzamil.
Altaf bin MD.
Sohil.
Pradeep Reddy bin Krishna Reddy.
The total injured are:
Sri Jagamma bin Jagadevi.
Nagaraju bin Malappa.
Ramesh Kumar bin Neerban
Okil Paswan.
Armaan.
Ayaan
BBMP chief commissioner,Tushar Girinath acknowledged that many areas in KR Puram and Hennur consisted of revenue layouts that lack proper building licences,contributing to unauthorised constructions.
“Any construction without a sanctioned plan must be stopped.In this case,the assistant executive engineer (AEE) was responsible but he failed to take further action so for the negligence the AEE vinay K has been suspended for deriliction of duty.
Lokayukta seeks explanation:
Lokayukta Justice,BS Patil, who visited the spot along with Upa Lokayuktas Justice N Phanindra and Justice B Veerappa on Wednesday evening,took objection to the way BBMP officials functioned.
Notice was issued only when the construction reached the fourth floor.Even after the notice,no steps were taken to halt the construction,”Justice Patil said,expressing his disappointment with the officials’ inaction.
Even after the notice,no steps were taken to halt the construction,”Justice Patil said,expressing his disappointment with the officials’ inaction.
The Lokayukta has summoned officials,including the Commissioner,seeking their explanations.We will take their statements along with any objections, and then proceed with the necessary action,” Justice Patil added.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar,who visited the site,indicated that the incident may have been caused by the use of substandard materials.Labour Minister Santosh Lad also visited the site to supervise the rescue operations.
“There are several constructions happening in the city using low-quality materials.I have directed officials to investigate to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Shivakumar said.
Action will be taken against those constructing buildings in the city without proper permissions from the corporation,including fitness certificates and approved designs.A comprehensive survey will be conducted as soon as possible,”he said.
Rescue efforts are continuing as authorities work to locate and aid anyone still trapped in the wreckage.
The DCM stressed on the gravity of the situation.He said,”It is a serious offense to construct such a large building on a 60/40 plot.
Officials have informed me that notices were issued three times,but no strict action was taken.If notices were issued, they should have been enforced.This is a significant lesson for us. Once the rescue operations are completed, we will address this matter in the next two days, and strict action will be taken.”
Shivakumar also announced plans for a broader survey of illegal constructions across Bengaluru.A survey will be conducted to identify illegal buildings throughout the city.
The Revenue Department will be instructed not to register properties where building designs have not been approved, for any reason.
This practice of using land to construct and sell at low prices must stop.The RERA Act is in place to prevent such illegalities.”
He promised accountability for the tragedy: “Action will be taken against the building contractor, the site owner, and any guilty officials involved.The workers will be compensated once the rescue efforts are complete.”
Finally he said We stand with the families affected by the building collapse in Hennur, and therefore we have decided to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of all the workers who tragically lost their lives. Out of this amount, Rs 2 lakh will be contributed by the Labor Department and Rs 3 lakh by the BBMP.
