A day after the deadly warehouse collapse in Kolkata's Taratala industrial area, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed a comprehensive review of building plans that were approved before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed office in May. The move comes as authorities continue rescue efforts at the accident site, where eleven people have lost their lives, and 20 others have been injured.
Municipal authorities have also suspended all construction activity within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area until July 31. Officials said projects that receive clearance after the review will be allowed to resume work from August 1.
Rescue operation continues as search for survivors goes on
Emergency teams remained at the collapse site through the night, searching for people who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
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"The operation continued throughout the night and is still ongoing. Rescuers used ground-penetrating radar to locate victims trapped under the debris. Sniffer dogs were also deployed," said an official.
Five arrested in Taratala warehouse collapse case as probe gathers pace. /ANI Authorities said personnel from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kolkata Police, Civil Defence and the Fire and Emergency Services are jointly carrying out the rescue mission.
"The Army, NDRF, police, civil defence, and fire brigade are working at the site."
Five arrested, serious charges invoked
Police have arrested five people in connection with the warehouse collapse. They have been booked under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to culpable homicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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KMC to review building approvals
Speaking on the incident, Adhikari said preliminary findings from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation suggested that the warehouse plan had structural flaws. He also alleged that the civic body, which was previously controlled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), may have approved the project after accepting money. The KMC board was dissolved on June 8, following which Smita Pandey took charge as administrator after former mayor Firhad Hakim stepped down.
CM Suvendu Adhikari orders citywide audit of old building plans after tragedy. /ANI The chief minister said the review will focus on commercial buildings and projects constructed after wetlands were filled.
"The chief secretary will set up a team comprising officers from the state public works department, civil defence, fire and emergency services, Kolkata Police, and KMC. The team will look into the building plans, site plan, and visit the sites and submit a report," Adhikari said.
In a separate notice, KMC administrator Smita Pandey, invoking powers under the KMC Act, 1980, directed developers, housing societies and individuals to stop all construction work within the civic body's jurisdiction until July 31, or until further orders, stating that the decision was taken in the interest of public safety.
