A tragic building collapse in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, has resulted in the deaths of eight people. The incident, which occurred recently, has sent shockwaves through the city and brought into sharp focus the critical issue of construction safety.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that he was not present in Bengaluru at the time of the incident but that his deputy was. He confirmed that eight lives were lost and that the government would cover the medical expenses of those injured. Additionally, an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh will be provided to the families of the deceased.
Siddaramaiah attributed the collapse to substandard construction practices, highlighting that the building was unauthorized. He emphasized that the collapse wasn’t a result of heavy rainfall, but rather due to the poor quality of construction work. In response to the tragedy, the assistant executive engineer, Vinay K, responsible for the area has been suspended, and notices are being issued to zonal officials.
The incident has also drawn attention from the national level, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his condolences and announcing financial aid for the victims. Through a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi conveyed his anguish over the loss of life and extended his prayers for the injured.
He further announced that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would provide an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 to those injured.
The building collapse in Bengaluru has underscored the urgent need for enhanced construction safety measures and stringent regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of neglecting safety standards in construction projects. As investigations continue, the city and the nation await answers regarding the lapses in oversight and accountability that contributed to this tragedy.
