Building collapse: Scattered debris troubles residents

Residents staying near a building that collapsed on Tuesday at Bandian Mohalla, near Chawal Bazaar, are facing inconvenience due to the debris spread all around the area, making it difficult for them to commute or move around.

Sambhav Jain, who is physically challenged and stays alone in a nearby house was stuck in the house for nearly 24 hours. The entry to the main gate of his house got closed due to huge pile of debris.

“My neighbours somehow managed to come to me through stairs and provided me meals. I was locked in the house for over 24 hours. I stay alone and the neighbours take care of me,” he said.

Another resident Ashutosh Gautam said the owner of the building was not responding and had failed to get the debris cleared. The MC started the work but it was discontinued as tractor-trailers could not reach the place due to narrow lanes. Now, they are planning to carry the work in night hours.

The bike of an area resident, Gautam, and his father’s scooter were buried under the debris while the front area of their house was also damaged. “It happened due to the negligence of the owner, and we are paying the price for the same,” he said.

MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said the MC had started the process of clearing the debris. “Ideally it is the responsibility of the owner of the building. We are getting it cleared, keeping in view safety of the people but the bill of the entire work will be given to the owner of the building he will be paying the same,” he said.

The building was century old and two notices were served by the MC’s town planning branch on the owner. First notice was served in 2021 and the other in 2022 and the building was declared unsafe by the PWD in June 2021. Despite the fact, no action was taken by the owner and he continued to rent the same.

The last survey was conducted by the MC in 2021 in which at least 156 buildings were declare ‘unsafe’ but no action has been taken in this regard against the buildings.