Four houses collapsed and around 20 others were severely damaged after the ground gave way allegedly owing to excavation work at an adjacent under-construction site in Ramanna Garden, Sudhamanagara, in the city.
The land was adjacent to the construction site where a 40-ft-deep trench had been dug for laying the foundation of a multi-storeyed building.
The incident occurred at around 11.00 p.m. on Sunday night. Bhaskar K., a medical representative whose house collapsed, said they had made repeated requests to the construction company to stop the work. “They did not listen to our pleas. Now, because of their construction, our houses have collapsed. Where do we go now,” he asked. “Every time the construction work began, our houses would shake. Yesterday, we felt strong tremors. We immediately came out and saw our house collapse,” he added.
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R.V. Devraj, MLA, ward councillor R.V. Yuvraj and BBMP Mayor G. Padmavathi visited the spot and promised financial assistance to the victims. “We have been shifted to a small ground nearby. Leaders who came in the morning have said that they would put up temporary tents for us. They have also promised permanent rehabilitation as soon as possible,” said Alamelu, another victim.
S. Manjunath Reddy, Executive Engineer, said the houses collapsed because of stagnant water owing to heavy rain in the last few days. The BBMP has ordered a stay on the construction. Ms. Padmavathi said that BBMP officials would examine the building plan to see if it was as per regulations.