Investigation reveals: Third floor was built illegally and in violation of standards

LUKWEIN: The investigation into the tragic building collapse in Lucknow has revealed that the third floor was constructed illegally and in violation of the rules as the authority had approved the construction of only two floors.

Eight people were killed and 28 others injured when a building unexpectedly collapsed in Lucknow’s Transport Nagar area on September 7.

The Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member committee on September 8 to investigate the building collapse.

The investigation also revealed that the developer had permission to build the building up to a height of seven metres, but in reality it was eleven metres high.

When PWD engineers investigated, it was found that the building's pillars were too weak to bear the load.

In addition, irregularities in the building construction and poor workmanship came to light.

The three-member committee, set up on the instructions of Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath to investigate the building collapse, is headed by Sanjiv Gupta, a secretary in India's home ministry, who has also been appointed as the chairman of the panel, according to a press release.

Balkar Singh, secretary, housing and town planning department, and Vijay Kanaujia, chief engineer, central region, public works department, Lucknow, are the other two members of the committee.

“The inquiry committee is expected to investigate the cause of the incident and submit its report to the government as soon as possible,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Adityanath visited the Lokbandhu Shri Rajnarayan Combined Hospital to inspect the condition of those injured in the building collapse.

At the hospital, the Prime Minister spoke to each patient individually, asked about their condition and assured them not to panic.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a gratia donation of Rs 200,000 to the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the incident.

“The loss of lives due to a building accident in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is saddened. Prayers are with those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The next of kin of each deceased will receive a gratuity of Rs 200,000 from the PMNRF. The injured will receive Rs 50,000,” said a post by the Prime Minister's Office on X.