NEW DELHI: As recuse operation into the Taratala warehouse collapse incident in Kolkata continued into the second day, the death toll has now reached 11, latest reports suggested.
At around 1.15pm on Thursday (June 25), the body of another victim was brought to the Trauma Care Centre at SSKM Hospital, officials said. The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.
In an operation representing seamless coordination between the Centre and the state, personnel from the army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies continued to be at the site, as apprehensions loom that several workers may still be trapped underneath the debris.
CM Suvendu orders audit in assembly
Speaking at the assembly, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a scathing attack against the erstwhile Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) board, then run by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
He claimed that serious irregularities occured during the approval of the Taratala warehouse building plan.
Presenting documents in the assembly, he claimed that the construction plan had been approved despite structural flaws in the design.
Citing various documents, including those bearing the signature of former Mayor Firhad Hakim, he said that the government’s fact-finding report on the entire matter had already been received.
He also raised questions about the role of the engineers and officials involved while sanctioning the plan.
Lambasting the erstwhile TMC regime, the chief minister alleged that corruption and the collection of “cut money” had turned Kolkata into a “city of death.”
He emphasised that no laxity in the investigation would be tolerated and stated that five people had already been arrested.
Among those arrested are the construction company’s supervisor, the iron structure fabricator, the lessee of the land, the labour supplier-cum-Trimex contractor, and a broker associated with the approval of the building plan from the KMC, Adhikari said.
He also informed the assembly that the prime accused, Azgar, is currently absconding.
The Chief Minister highly praised the army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for their rescue efforts.
As a consequence of the incident, the chief minister declared that all ongoing construction work, except for essential services, will remain suspended for the next four weeks in the Kolkata Municipal area as well as in Rajarhat-New Town, Maheshtala, Budge Budge, Pujali, Bishnupur, Sonarpur, Baruipur, and other surrounding regions.
During this period, all approved building plans in these areas will undergo an audit.
For this purpose, a high-level committee has been formed under the leadership of Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Pandey.
The committee includes senior government officials as well as representatives from IIT Kharagpur, Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), Indian Railway Construction Limited (IRCON), the Fire Services Department, the Public Works Department, and the KMC.
The chief minister asserted that the government would make no compromise when it comes to people’s lives and those found guilty would not only face imprisonment, but their properties could also be confiscated to provide compensation to the victims if necessary. - The Statesman/ANN
