Ambulance, patient’s car damaged in wall crash, 2 rescued from vehicles

KOLKATA: At least four vehicles were damaged when a portion of a boundary wall of a private construction site on DL Khan Road in Bhowanipore collapsed around 11.10am on Monday. Among the vehicles were an ambulance and a car that had brought a critically ill patient to SSKM Hospital for her dialysis.
“All of us were busy with out daily work when we heard a deafening noise. We rushed to the spot to find a portion of the boundary lying flat on the ground and another portion resting on the vehicles. There were at least two people trapped inside. Thankfully, we could rescue them,” said Trinamool Congress block president, Bablu Singh
In spite of some initial disruption, the situation improved after intervention of KMC officials, who arrived at the spot within half-an-hour to clear the debris. The police said a probe has been initiated to find out if there was negligence. “We have got two versions of how exactly the incident took place. One version claimed a JCB machine had mistakenly pulled down a portion of the wall. The other claimed it collapsed unable to withstand some major negligence during construction. A probe is on. We are waiting for KMC and fire brigade inputs,” said an officer.
Singh said the collapse resulted from “constructional discrepancies.” When he was further questioned about the damage relief, the block president said he would be arranging for the damaged vehicles to be sent to a garage to initiate repairs as soon as possible. He also said the damages would be paid for by the promoters.
He did not, however, specify why the promoters would pay for the loses. TOI could not contact the promoters for their version of the events.
Jagadish Singha, a witness said the driver of the vehicle, which received maximum damage, was saved since he had gone to have his lunch. “Call it a divine intervention,” he said.
Samir Dutta, a resident of Bhowanipore, whose Maruti van was damaged in the incident said the local authorities have assured him he will be compensated in full. “The councillor has promised me help. I am hopeful,” said Dutta.
As per the locals, this fifteen-storey building, which was under construction for at least one and half years is causing a lot of problems in the locality.
Anamika Nandi, a resident of the area voiced her frustration and said this construction has been a major source of discomfort to them. She said: “The construction work begins as early as 4am, which disrupts our sleep. The walls of our houses have also developed cracks due to the constant vibrations from the construction site. I have aged in-laws at home, who suffer from the commotion. The lack of cooperation from the authorities is disappointing,” said Nandi.