Cantilever of under-construction building falls, notice to MC officials

The cantilever of an under-construction building in Saidan Gate gave way this evening. The collapse exposed the Municipal Corporation's negligence. The area where the incident happened has a huge footfall as it's an old market in the city. Nobody got injured but a few vehicles that were parked nearby got damaged.

After the collapse, a sense of fear gripped the area and a huge rush was witnessed at the spot. Shopkeepers demanded strict action against those responsible for this negligence.

Two officials from the building department -- an Assistant Town Planner (ATP) and a building inspector -- have been served show-cause notice after the incident. A senior officer from the MC said the construction was earlier stopped but it still continued, which was why the ATP and inspector had been served notices.

MLA, Jalandhar Central, Raman Arora and former councillor of the area Sharry Chadha reached the spot. Nearby shop owners said they were opposing the construction of this building for the last two months. "But nobody listened to us. The owner kept on saying that he was not fearful as corporation and police officials were with him and nobody could stop him. Our shops are also right next to this one, we are now wary that this would affect our buildings as well," a shopkeeper rued.

Talking to mediapersons, Sharry, the former councillor, said the contractor had been called. "We will ask him about what is happening here. Thankfully, no casualty was reported from the spot," he said.

In the past weeks, works on several under-construction buildings were stopped, several owners were given notices and illegal shops and buildings were demolished as well. But the shopkeepers of the areas alleged that no action was being taken here and now the results were in front of everyone. "What if someone was standing near the shop that collapsed. Who would be held responsible in that case," shopkeepers said.