Probe into the wall collapse in Bangalore blames staff, contractor

The technical experts’ team appointed by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) mayor SK Nataraj to probe into the wall collapse that claimed the life of 17-year-old Sanjana Singh, has almost completed the probe report, and is giving it the final touches. “I am expecting the report to be submitted on Wednesday. Necessary action will be initiated as per law against those found guilty,” Nataraj said.

Sources in the mayor’s office said that the probe zeroed in on the collective failure of both contractors and engineers, that led to the tragic incident.

Sources at the BBMP told DNA that the probe report nailed contractor-turned-corporator Munirathna Naidu, and another contractor Humesh, who were allegedly involved in the shoddy construction. “The Palike engineers are also at fault for poor inspection and monitoring of the project. Lowest quality of material was used,” said a probe team member.

BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said that action would be taken against all those found guilty, and that the report would be submitted to the state government and judiciary.

When questioned if the contractors found guilty would be
blacklisted, Meena said it was one of the several options of action that would be taken against those found party to the construction of the fatal wall.

“The contractor who built the foundation violated norms by reducing the width of the wall. In fact, in one portion, there is no foundation at all,” said a probe team member, adding that the contractor who constructed the retaining wall on this weak foundation also violated norms. “There were cavities in the wall, clearly indicating that it was not properly filled with mortar,” the investigating official said.

The probe team was constituted by Nataraj on June 8, headed by BBMP engineer-in-chief AK Gopalswamy, and included BBMP chief engineer S Somashekhar, and additional commissioner VP Ikkeri among others.

Meanwhile, city in-charge minister R Ashoka said that opposition leader in the BBMP Council, M Nagaraj, had written to Nataraj that Munirathna was not at fault. Ashoka said that Munirathna had met him at the secretariat on Tuesday afternoon as Nataraj had forwarded Nagaraj’s letter to him.