Lucknow, September 7, 2024 – A tragic incident unfolded in Lucknow’s Transport Nagar on Saturday evening when a three-story building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuring 24 others. The building, which was under construction and used as a godown, came crashing down around 5 PM, trapping several people under the debris.
The Incident
The collapse occurred in the Sarojini Nagar police station area, a bustling part of the city. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise followed by a cloud of dust as the building crumbled. The structure, which had been undergoing construction work, was reportedly not stable, raising concerns about the safety standards being followed.
Relief Commissioner G S Naveen Kumar confirmed the casualties and injuries, stating that the injured were promptly rescued and transported to Lok Bandhu Hospital for treatment. The identities of the deceased are still being ascertained, but three of the victims have been identified as Pankaj Tiwari (40), Dheeraj Gupta (48), and Arun Sonkar (28).
Rescue Operations
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were immediately deployed to the scene to assist in the rescue operations. Senior police and administrative officials, including ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, were present to oversee the efforts. The rescue teams worked tirelessly to extricate individuals trapped under the rubble, using specialized equipment and sniffer dogs to locate survivors.
“The CM (Yogi Adityanath) took immediate cognizance of this incident and officials have been sent to the spot to facilitate relief and rescue efforts. Officials from NDRF, SDRF, fire services, municipal corporation, electricity department, and medical department are engaged in relief and rescue,” said ADG Yash.
Government Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that all necessary measures were being taken to aid the injured and affected families. He instructed the district administration officials, SDRF, and NDRF teams to expedite the relief work and ensure that the injured receive proper medical treatment.
“The news of the building collapse in Lucknow is extremely distressing. I have spoken to the District Magistrate of Lucknow over the phone to get an update on the situation at the site,” said Defence Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow, Rajnath Singh.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents of the area recounted the horrifying moments when the building collapsed. “I was walking by when I heard a loud noise. When I turned around, I saw the building coming down. It was terrifying,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local shopkeeper. Another resident, Sunita Devi, added, “We rushed to the site to help, but the debris was too much. It was heartbreaking to see people trapped.”
Safety Concerns
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety standards and regulations being followed in construction projects in the city. Preliminary investigations suggest that the building may not have adhered to the required safety norms, leading to its collapse. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and hold those responsible accountable.
“The building was constructed around four years ago and was undergoing some construction work. We are looking into whether proper safety measures were in place,” said a senior police official.
Community Response
The local community has come together to support the victims and their families. Volunteers have been assisting in the rescue operations and providing food and water to the rescue teams. Local NGOs have also stepped in to offer support and counseling to those affected by the tragedy.
“We are here to support the families in any way we can. This is a time for the community to come together and help each other,” said Anjali Sharma, a volunteer with a local NGO.
Political Reactions
The incident has also sparked political reactions, with opposition parties criticizing the state government for failing to ensure the safety of construction projects. “This tragedy could have been avoided if proper safety measures were in place. The government must take responsibility and ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” said a spokesperson for the opposition party.
Moving Forward
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving as many lives as possible and providing support to the injured and their families. The government has promised compensation for the victims and assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the collapse.
The tragedy in Transport Nagar serves as a grim reminder of the importance of adhering to safety standards in construction projects. As the city mourns the loss of lives, there is a collective call for stricter regulations and better enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future.