Bengaluru: A govt-appointed inquiry committee has identified construction debris, piled-up soil and a nearby cricket practice facility as the reasons behind the collapse of the Bowring Hospital compound wall that killed seven people during heavy rain and strong winds in the city on April 29. The inquiry committee was led by Bengaluru Urban district deputy commissioner Jagadeesha G. “A large quantity of construction debris had been dumped near the wall. Though the wall was about eight feet high, the debris had piled up to nearly six feet. Some soil and debris were also spread on a nearby cricket pitch. Heavy rain caused the debris to slide towards the wall, leading to its collapse,” a source in the district administration told TOI. The contractor and the engineer concerned failed to remove the debris in time, which was a serious negligence. “The report has strongly recommended action against those responsible,” the source added. DC Jagadeesha, however, refused to divulge details of the probe and said that a confidential report had been submitted to the govt. Dr Manoj Kumar H V, director-cum-dean of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (SABVMCRI), said he was unaware of the report’s contents. However, he acknowledged that questions regarding the presence of a cricket training facility near the collapsed wall were raised during the committee’s inspection. “The cricket training facility was set up at the request of students under a CSR initiative. The facility was located 17 feet from the collapsed wall. When we consulted the engineers, they assured us that anything beyond six feet would not compromise the safety of the wall,” Dr Manoj further said.Points for gfx:* Seven killed in wall collapse at Bowring Hospital on April 29* Debris piled up to nearly six feet against eight-foot compound wall* Probe flags contractor, engineer for failing to clear debris in time* Panel also examines role of nearby cricket training facility in the accident
