Pune wall collapse: Residents warned builders about wall's dangerous condition
The residents of a Pune residential complex, where a wall collapsed on Saturday, reportedly warned the builders of the wall's dangerous condition months ago. The wall collapsed and fell on construction laborers' huts alongside, crushing 15 to death and injuring three in Pune's Kondhwa. The residents called a meeting five months ago and told the developers that the wall was tilting outwards. Here's more.
Director of real estate development company assured wall was 'safe'
After the meeting, Jagdish Agarwal, Director of Alcon Landmarks that built the residential complex, assured the residents the wall safe. He told them that if anything happens, it would be taken care of. The residents also sent an email to the developers along with the minutes of the meeting. The same was sent to the Pune Municipal Corporation and the police, said a resident.
We highlighted the condition of the wall: Resident
"We had a meeting on February 16 with Vivek Agarwal (a partner at Alcon Landmarks) over the pending works. We highlighted the condition of the wall, told him that it was tilting outward and its construction quality was not satisfactory," a resident stated.
Collapse believed to have been caused by excavation work nearby
The wall collapse is believed to have been caused by the excavation work being done just 40 feet from the complex wall that has likely weakened the base of the wall, causing it to tilt outward. Cars parked inside the residential complex along the wall also fell on the adjacent huts as it collapsed. Many cars were stuck in debris after the collapse.
Police have so far arrested two persons in the case
The police have registered a case of culpable homicide against Jagdishprasad Agarwal, Sachin Agarwal, Rajesh Agarwal, Vivek Agarwal and Vipul Agarwal of Alcon Landmarks. Vipul and Vivek have been arrested. Apart from them, Pankaj Vora, Suresh Shah, and Rashmikant Gandhi of the Kanchan Royal Exotica project, for which the excavation work was being done near the complex, were also booked in the case.
