Varanasi building collapse: PM expresses condolence; ex-gratia announced for victims

VARANASI: Two labourers belonging to Malda district of West Bengal were killed while six others suffered injuries when a portion of an old, dilapidated and partially demolished building collapsed on them in the Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) area early on Tuesday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought details of the incident from divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal, and also directed to ensure best possible treatment for the injured labourers.
PSP, the construction company executing the project, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple (KVT) management have jointly extended financial help of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased. Similarly, each injured labourer will be given a financial help of Rs 50,000.
The commissioner said, “Five injured labourers have been discharged from the hospital after first aid as they had suffered minor injuries. One labourer, who has suffered grave leg injuries, is undergoing treatment at the hospital.”
Giving details of the tragedy, the commissioner added, “After ending their work in the night shift, about eight labourers, all belonging to WB state, had gathered under a dilapidated and partially demolished building, a portion of which was left untouched to lend support to an old structure behind it. Around 3.30am, this dilapidated structure collapsed and the labourers were buried under it.”
Eye-witnesses and injured labourers Arif Momin and Mukhtar Momin told TOI that after completing their night shift work, they had gone to sleep inside the Goenka library in the KV Dham project area where arrangements have been made for their stay.
“As it was too hot and humid inside the library building, we came outside to sleep in the open near the dilapidated building. However, all of a sudden a portion of the building collapsed at around 3.30am and we were buried under the debris,” they added.
“On hearing the cries for help of the injured labourers, their companions, police and others present inside the project area rushed to the spot and started efforts to rescue them. After the labourers were pulled out from the debris, they were rushed to the SPG Divisional Hospital where Aminul Monin (40) and Ibadul Momin (27) were declared dead by the doctors,” said KVT chief executive officer (CEO) Sunil Verma.
“Abdul Jabbar, who suffered grave leg injuries, was referred to BHU Hospital for specialised treatment,” Verma added.
The news of the incident brought the officials to their feet, as apart from the commissioner, police commissioner A Satish Ganesh and district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma along with a big band of officials reached the spot. Soon, NDRF personnel were also summoned to assist in the rescue operation.
The DM said, “The PM called us in the morning and enquired about the building collapse. He expressed deep condolence to the bereaved families and instructed us to provide all possible support to them. He also directed us to provide proper medical care to the injured labourers. He also assured us of all possible help from the Centre.”
Soon after the incident, a delegation of Congress leaders, led by former minister Ajay Rai and city chief Raghvendra Chaubey, reached the hospital to know the condition of the injured and demanded the administration to provide Rs 25 lakh each as financial assistance to the families of those killed and Rs 5 lakh each to the injured persons.
The ambitious over Rs 600-crore Kashi Vishwanath Dham (Corridor) project was conceptualised after Yogi Adityanath government came to power. PM Narendra Modi had formally launched the project by laying its foundation in March 2018. Though the work on the project has been hit by two successive Covid-19 pandemic waves, it is slated to be completed by November 15 this year.