An illegally-constructed building is being demolished in Bengaluru’s Ejipura after it began to lean dangerously to one side on Wednesday following incessant rains.
According to reports, the building began to tilt after the pillars of the building developed cracks after being battered by the rains the previous night. After receiving information from a bystander, fire and rescue officials rushed to the spot and evacuated two independent houses nearby. Soon after, Palike officials reached the spot.
Reports say that the owner of the building had constructed extra floors beyond the limit for which he had obtained permission. The police have registered a case against the owner, Ramesh, and the contractor. The owner is reportedly absconding.
“We had approved four floors but the owner constructed one more floor. The BBMP had issued two notices to the owner in the past 15 days, but received no response,” an Executive Engineer in charge of the ward told The Times of India.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, a BBMP official said that the building was leaning because of poor foundation soil.
“The owner of the building should have made a deeper foundation. But he had not done so. Because of heavy rain, the building sunk by a few feet. We have served notice on the land owner and have started the demolition drive,” he said.
The two adjacent houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
“Our men shifted household materials and ensured there were no casualties. We contacted the BBMP, whose officials arrived later,” M Chandrasekhar, IGP (incharge), Fire and Emergency Services, told TOI.
In October 2016, five persons died in Bellandur after a building collapsed due to faulty construction. A BBMP Assistant Engineer was suspended for failing to prevent the construction that violated building norms.