The Taratala warehouse collapse has resulted in 15 fatalities, with 33 individuals rescued and ongoing rescue efforts for potentially more trapped victims, as stated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also announced the impending clearance of the main site by the NDRF and plans to equip state disaster relief teams with modern technology. In response to the tragedy, the government is implementing strict measures against those responsible, including blacklisting the architect and supervisors involved in the collapse, and will extend this policy to future faulty construction cases, while also initiating a city-wide audit of under-construction buildings by a specialized team led by ACS-rank officer Rajesh Pandey, in collaboration with RITES and IIT Kharagpur engineers, focusing on structural integrity and fire safety until July 31st, with exemptions for government projects and specific types of renovations for G+5 buildings.

The Taratala warehouse collapse has resulted in 15 fatalities, with 33 individuals rescued and ongoing rescue efforts for potentially more trapped victims, as stated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also announced the impending clearance of the main site by the NDRF and plans to equip state disaster relief teams with modern technology. In response to the tragedy, the government is implementing strict measures against those responsible, including blacklisting the architect and supervisors involved in the collapse, and will extend this policy to future faulty construction cases, while also initiating a city-wide audit of under-construction buildings by a specialized team led by ACS-rank officer Rajesh Pandey, in collaboration with RITES and IIT Kharagpur engineers, focusing on structural integrity and fire safety until July 31st, with exemptions for government projects and specific types of renovations for G+5 buildings.

The Taratala warehouse collapse has resulted in 15 fatalities, with 33 individuals rescued and ongoing rescue efforts for potentially more trapped victims, as stated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also announced the impending clearance of the main site by the NDRF and plans to equip state disaster relief teams with modern technology. In response to the tragedy, the government is implementing strict measures against those responsible, including blacklisting the architect and supervisors involved in the collapse, and will extend this policy to future faulty construction cases, while also initiating a city-wide audit of under-construction buildings by a specialized team led by ACS-rank officer Rajesh Pandey, in collaboration with RITES and IIT Kharagpur engineers, focusing on structural integrity and fire safety until July 31st, with exemptions for government projects and specific types of renovations for G+5 buildings.

The death toll of the Taratala warehouse collapse has risen to 15 after two more victims succumbed in the hospital during treatment. As many as 33 people have been saved so far. Rescue operations are still underway as more people are feared trapped. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that two sites have been cleared, while the main site will be cleared by Friday night by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) if the weather permits.

The Chief Minister spoke about adding modern equipment to the state disaster relief teams, similar to that of the NDRF, and will include more skilled persons.

The CM said action will be taken for gross violations and strict action will be taken against those responsible.

“The architect who is the planner and designer in this particular case will be blacklisted by the KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation),” added Adhikari, while saying those who took an undertaking of supervising the work have not done adequate work.

While cracking the whip on other under-construction projects in the city and surrounding areas, Adhikari said blacklisting architects and planners in cases of faulty construction applies to future cases where such architects and designers are involved, who will not be allowed to proceed with their work. The government is cracking down on other locations in the city which could pose a danger, and hence prevent further accidents and loss of lives.

Rajesh Pandey, an ACS-rank officer, will head the team along with the RITES engineering company and IIT Kharagpur engineers to conduct audits in under-construction buildings till July 31st. Central and state government infrastructure projects have been kept out of the purview.

“There are three things that can happen: rejection in cases of gross violation, and rectification advice for those who can make changes in the plan, design or construction. The cases which come will be cleared instead of waiting,” said Suvendu Adhikari.

The team will also work on fire and lightning arrester audits in high-rise buildings, given the heavy rains in the city. 

Renovation or extension along with a plan for G+5 high-rise buildings will be outside the purview of this audit. Permission for renovation is not required. The CM said that action will be taken for gross violations. In regard to those who have paid a bribe for work to be sanctioned, they can file an FIR for action to be taken.

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