Pathuriaghata: Bldng collapse kills 1, injures 2

Kolkata: Following the collapse of a portion of a dilapidated building in Pathuriaghata, which killed one and injured three, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to set up a temporary shelter for the residents in a nearby field while handing over to them a certificate of occupancy, ensuring they get to retain their tenant rights once the building is rebuilt.

On Wednesday night, the third floor of a five-storied dilapidated building collapsed. A couple and their minor son got trapped in the debris. The fire brigade was informed by the other residents of the building who rushed out after hearing a loud noise.

Fire personnel are learnt to have worked past midnight to clear the debris. It was at 3 am when the couple and their son could be extricated from the debris. The woman was declared dead in the hospital while the husband and the son are undergoing treatment at Calcutta Medical College. The condition of the husband was critical.

It was soon established that the structure was already declared as a ‘dangerous building’ by the KMC. It is at least 100 years old. The building was inhabited by 30 to 40 families who, soon after the incident, alleged that despite urging the owner to carry out repair and maintenance work no action was taken.

Mayor Firhad Hakim visited the incident spot in the morning where he spoke to the residents. He told the media that the civic body will be evacuating all the residents in the upper half of the structure for their safety.

The Mayor said: “We will take the help of the police for evacuation. KMC will be setting up a temporary settlement in the nearby field where these residents will be shifted. It will be difficult for them to live there but their lives will be saved.”

He added that KMC’s assessment department will issue a certificate of occupancy to these residents so later they can shift in once the structure is rebuilt. Hakim said that the owner will be called to discuss reconstruction. “In case the owner cannot, we will get some developer to do the job,” he said.

Hakim said that despite the laws being amended offering owners and tenants the opportunity to get such properties rebuilt, most in North Kolkata are not willing to shift out temporarily, fearing they won’t be allowed back by the owners once the new structure comes up.

“On the contrary, the residents of such decrepit buildings in South Kolkata are coming forward to avail the advantages of the new provisions of the law,” he highlighted.