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In a series of alarming incidents, buildings in several areas of Kolkata have tilted, drawing urgent attention from local authorities. The incidents have been reported in various wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, including Ward 3 and Ward 23 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, and Ward 67 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation. In Ward 23, located in the Jagatpur locality, two flat buildings have been found tilting. These buildings, constructed on land that was originally a pond, have been deemed unsafe, leading to the issuance of evacuation orders.
The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation has moved swiftly, issuing notices for the immediate evacuation and subsequent demolition of the affected buildings in Jagatpur, Ward 23. These buildings, constructed between 2003 and 2004, are reported to have been built without adhering to proper safety standards. The area was not part of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation at the time of construction, and the buildings were constructed on land that was previously a pond, which may have contributed to their instability. The councilor of Ward 23, Jhunku Mondal, inspected the site following the complaints and submitted a formal report to the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Krishna Chakraborty.
Meanwhile, Ward 3 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation has also reported a similar incident, where another building has been found tilting. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of the local community. Authorities have begun investigating whether construction standards and land-use regulations were properly followed in this case. Ward 67, located in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's Borough No. 7, covering parts of Tiljala and Kasba, is also witnessing issues related to unsafe construction. In this ward, the situation has led to increased vigilance and inspections of buildings following reports of tilting structures.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation, which governs these areas in Borough No. 7, covering parts of Tiljala (Kata Pukur-Bediadanga) and Kasba (Natore Park-New Ballygunge-Bosepukur) in South Kolkata, has been alerted to the situation. Ward 67 is particularly affected, with buildings reportedly leaning and causing concern among residents. In response to these issues, local authorities are conducting comprehensive investigations into the safety standards of buildings across these wards, including those built on reclaimed land.
In addition to the tilting buildings in Bidhannagar, a multi-story under-construction building in Tangra, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, was also found tilting earlier this week. Although no residents were present at the time, workers on the site were evacuated to ensure safety. No injuries have been reported, and authorities are reviewing the construction practices at the site. The situation in Tangra, along with the tilting buildings in Ward 3, 23, and 67, has raised concerns about the enforcement of safety regulations in the region, particularly in areas with challenging land conditions.
Authorities have confirmed that the buildings in question were built without following necessary safety guidelines, which has led to their current condition. Following the complaints filed by local residents and councilors, further investigations are ongoing to determine whether any building codes or construction regulations were violated. Local residents have been urged to vacate the affected buildings immediately, while authorities continue to monitor and assess the safety of other structures in these wards.
The incidents have also sparked protests from local political groups, particularly the Left, who have raised concerns about the lack of enforcement of building regulations. They have demanded compensation for those affected and called for the resignation of a TMC councilor allegedly linked to the unsafe constructions. In the wake of these events, the municipality is focusing on enhancing safety protocols and conducting thorough inspections to prevent further incidents of this nature.