A procedural committee set up by the District Collector to probe the collapse of a building under construction at Kaloor on April 19 said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities and engineers in the construction sector.
“It’s only sheer luck that there was no loss of human life. There was only one building close by and this is to be dismantled now. With workers in the excavated area and with buildings close by, it would have been not just a failure but a catastrophe,” said the report prepared by the six-member committee comprising Disaster Management Deputy Collector P.D. Sheeladevi, senior town planner P.R. Ushakumari, geologist Krishnendhu, PWD executive engineer Rejina Beevi, Cochin University of Science and Technology emeritus professor Babu Jose and structural expert Anil Joseph.
“Where the committee asked for design approval of the earth retaining system and structural design to the approving authorities, they pointed out that such an approval or design verification is not provided. Considering Cochin being in Zone III of earthquake, expected wind speeds of 140kms/hour and the deep deposits of its very soft marine clay, we strongly feel that when building permits are issued, it should be after proper scrutiny of designs and construction procedures by competent engineers.
“When deep excavations are required for cellar floors, permits should be given only after the stability of earth retaining structure is checked and the safety of neighbouring buildings ensured (sic),” the report read.
