Worker killed in building collapse

Negligence suspected; contractor on the run

BANGALORE: The young Jharkhand man had dreamt of a better life when he arrived here on September 20.

Seven days later, rescue personnel drilled through a heap of steel rods and concrete for about 11 hours to pull out his lifeless body.

Nandish (25) was killed and seven others were injured when the first floor of a building under construction on MG Road here caved in around 3:30 am on Saturday.

The victim had come to the city seeking job opportunities a week ago.

Six of those injured were discharged after providing treatment at the Bowring Hospital. Another worker Nagappa, who suffered grievous injuries, was being treated at the hospital, and was out of danger.

Nandish was on the ground floor of the GK Vale building, when the floor above him collapsed, burying him under a heap of steel rods and fresh concrete.

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) alleged negligence had led to the tragedy. The newly-concreted floor had no pillar support at the centre but only from the sides.

"Even the side supports were not firmly placed. This can be termed as negligence. We will conduct an enquiry into the incident and take appropriate action," HC Ananth Swamy, chief engineer, BBMP - eastern range, said.

The engineer of the building, Nanjunda Swamy, was being questioned. "No arrests have been made so far," N Ajay, inspector of Cubbon Park police station, said. The police were looking for the absconding contractor.

Fire and rescue personnel were rushed to the spot following the accident. More than 50 workers from the BBMP were also pressed into action.

"We could not dig in to save the worker as the concrete had set by the time we reached. We needed excavation equipment, which led to the delay," FR Sharif, regional head of Karnataka Fire Services, said.

According to 45-year-old Poongodi, who was at the construction site, the first floor-slab crashed with a loud bang.

"I stay in a shed in the construction premises. When I heard the sound I came running out to see the slab coming down. Seven others escaped with minor injuries. But Nandish was stuck inside," she said.

An injured worker, who returned to the site from the hospital, said he had a narrow escape.

"I was on the top of the slab tightening the ropes around the poles when the incident happened. I fell down and others on me. My head was buried in the concrete but I somehow managed to shake it off and escape from the debris," 39-year-old Kannan, said.    

Babu, another worker said some of them were stepping out for tea when the accident happened. "That is why he was the only person to lose his life."

Initial reports suggested besides head injuries, suffocation could have led to Nandish's death.     

No compensation likely

The relatives of Nandish would not receive any compensation. The Construction Workers Welfare Board cited technical reasons for refusing benefits to the kin of the deceased.

And the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar  Palike (BBMP) said it was beyond its purview to take action against the contractor of the accident.

BBMP chief engineer (East) H C Ananthaswamy told DNA that he had lodged a complaint with Cubbon Park police station against V K Surendra, owner of the building, and also the contractor of the work. "That is all we can do. The police take it from there. BBMP has approved the building plan and issued commencement certificate but the workmanship and structural quality has to be ensured by the owner. He is also supposed to take care of the workers and that is not within the purview of BBMP,'' he said.

The workers welfare board, formed in 2007, seems to be of little help. While the chief executive officer of the Board was on leave and not reachable, a top official said that a worker needs to be registered with the Board for at least an year to get benefits. Nandish was not registered with the board. ``Both the contractor and the worker should be on the register only then we can help,'' said the official.

(With inputs from Kunal Chatterjee)