An under-construction portico at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) collapsed on Thursday, February 27, injuring 11 workers. The incident led to student protests, with the university’s student body demanding accountability from the administration and compensation for the injured workers.
The UoH Students' Union, which staged the protest, alleged that much of the ongoing construction on campus was funded through the Institute of Eminence (IoE) scheme. In addition to demanding that the university cover all medical expenses of the injured workers, the union issued a statement calling for the termination of the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, and other officials responsible. They also demanded the formation of an autonomous judicial inquiry committee, with student representation, to investigate the collapse.
In response, the UoH administration announced that a safety audit of the under-construction building would be conducted and a report submitted at the earliest. “The committee will also review the quality and safety of all other buildings under construction on campus and take necessary action to prevent such incidents,” the university said in a statement.
UoH Registrar Devesh Nigam stated that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had been asked to submit a detailed report on the incident and ensure that the contractor or agency bears the medical expenses of the injured workers, as per the Memorandum of Understanding.
According to a complaint filed by Registrar Nigam with the Gachibowli police, nine out of the 11 injured workers were treated at Citizen Hospital and later discharged. The FIR, based on Nigam’s complaint, states that the construction was under the supervision of the CPWD and carried out by SA Infra.
The Gachibowli police have registered a case under Sections 125 (actions that endanger life and personal safety of others) and 125(a) (reckless or negligent actions that endanger safety).