Hyderabad: Two migrant workers died and a senior citizen suffered injuries after an under-construction seven-storied allegedly illegal building, built on a box drain, collapsed at Anjiahnagar Nagar in Kondapur on Saturday afternoon. However, no arrests were made till last reports came in.A space that is usually filled with children playing cricket was covered in debris on Saturday after the building collapsed, leaving residents shaken and several families temporarily displaced. Nearly 25 families are likely to be relocated in the next few days.The seven-storied building plus a penthouse was being constructed on a 50-square-yard plot, allegedly encroaching upon the drain to start a hostel. Initially, police and civic officials believed no one was at the site. But later, when HYDRAA and fire department personnel started clearing the debris, they discovered two bodies of K Umesh, 34, and Mopath, 42, both tile workers from Madhya Pradesh.“During our initial inquiry, we found that the building is owned by Syed Sajid. He gave the construction contract to Khaja Moinuddin. The structure was built without any permission,” assistant commissioner of police (Madhapur) Ch Sreedhar told TOI. Police registered a case against Syed Sajid under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sajid is reportedly absconding.Around 1pm, when the narrow, tall structure came crashing down, it fell on two adjoining buildings, damaging the facade of an apartment and the external wall of the staircase of another multi-storeyed structure.Cyberabad municipal commissioner G Srijana said: “On learning about the illegal construction work, municipal authorities had directed them to halt works. But on Friday, the building owner resumed work, and it led to the accident.”“We came to know that Sajid is into the business of constructing buildings on small land parcels and sell them. There are many such structures, which are being used as hostels to accommodate people working in the IT corridor. We will make sure all these structures are cleared,’’ HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath told the media.Explaining the possible cause of the collapse, Ranganath said that earth excavation work for the foundation was on in the neighbourhood, it impacted the stability of the under-construction building and led to the collapse.Residents said they heard a huge thud and felt vibrations similar to an earthquake, which lasted for a few seconds. When they rushed outside to check what had happened, they saw the multi-storied building fall like a pack of cards. It also damaged a portion of Jayadarshini Society’s C Block.“The construction was taking place rapidly, with a floor coming up almost every two weeks, with work going on till late in the evening, sometimes till 11pm,” Govind M, who has been living in the area for close to 15 years, told TOI .An ex-serviceman, aged about 75, who was staying on the second floor of an adjoining building, suffered injuries on his head and limbs due to the falling debris. He was rushed to a nearby hospital. “He was quick to cover himself with a pillow, which helped him escape with only minor injuries. He took some time to come out of the shock, after we dragged him out of his bedroom,” first responder and local Sowjanya G said.The videos of the accident went viral on social media. According to residents, the under-construction building had damaged Jayadarshini society’s building a year ago when residents decided to build a taller compound wall, keeping in mind the safety of residents and children.On getting information about the accident, police reached the spot and roped in municipal, HYDRAA and revenue personnel to carry out rescue operations. About 25 NDRF personnel were deployed around 3pm. NDRF deputy commandant Damodar Singh said K9 dogs were pressed into service to check for any victims.Locals said the construction was taken up by the owner seven months ago, leaving no setbacks with the adjoining buildings and ignoring all norms. The building was in the final stages of work, with painting and electrical works being undertaken.
