HYDERABAD: A seven-storey building under construction in Anjaiahnagar, Gachibowli, collapsed on Saturday, killing two workers and damaging an adjoining apartment building. The deceased were identified as Umesh Kare, 34, and Mopath, 42.
The unauthorised G+6 structure was being built on a 50-square-yard plot adjacent to a nala. The two workers are suspected to have been at the site when the structure collapsed around 1 pm, sending debris onto the neighbouring building and trapping people underneath.
Fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot with advanced equipment, including a Victim Location Camera, to search the debris. The bodies of the two workers were located and recovered.
Cyberabad Municipal Commissioner G Srijana said the authorities had received a complaint against the building nearly six months ago, following which construction was stopped and the structure seized. Work remained halted for four months before resuming, without clearance from the CMC, three to four days before the collapse.
“Before we could know, this incident happened,” Srijana told the media.
Locals, however, alleged that they too had complained about the construction but no action was taken.
The collapse also damaged three bedrooms in the adjoining Jaya Darshini Apartments. Several residents were injured, including retired Army personnel Ramana Reddy, who was taken to a nearby hospital.
Resident Uma Mahesh said a pregnant domestic worker was inside the building when it collapsed. “Immediately, I took her out of the building,” he said.
Another resident said the initial impact of the collapse was so sudden that people thought there had been an earthquake. “We saw a thick cloud of dust and realised what had happened.”
HYDRAA focus on all Anjaiahnagar buildings
“If it had been evening, the damage would have been much more as people would have come out at that time,” she added.
The collapse has also raised questions over how construction resumed despite the earlier action by authorities. Madhapur ACP Ch Sreedhar told TNIE that a case had been registered against the builder, Sajid, under Section 105 of the BNS. The accused is absconding.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, who inspected the site and reviewed the rescue and relief operations, said several buildings in Anjaiahnagar lacked the required setbacks and other mandatory provisions. He said buildings constructed in violation of rules could not be allowed to continue and announced that HYDRAA would conduct a special drive in Anjaiahnagar in coordination with the CMC.
Ranganath also inspected buildings in the surrounding area, particularly those allegedly constructed without proper permissions, and the damaged Jaya Darshini Apartments. He assured residents that the debris would be cleared immediately and that the structural stability of the building would subsequently be assessed and certified.
Residents were advised not to occupy the damaged portion of the apartment until the structural safety assessment was completed.