Kolkata Building Collapse: Unchecked Illegal Construction to Blame, Say Locals as Death Toll Reaches 10 | Ground Report

Unchecked illegal construction is to blame for the collapse of a five-storey building in the Garden Reach area of Kolkata, locals and survivors told News18 even as the death toll reached 10 on Monday.

The under-construction building came down Sunday midnight, and 16 hours later, people are still feared trapped in the debris. More than 20 people have been rescued so far.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has said rescue operations are being carried out on war footing. Mohammed Wasim, the promoter of the building, is in police custody.

“It was almost midnight when we thought an earthquake had struck. We rushed out and saw a giant cloud of dust. All the locals rushed to the spot. We will never forget the sight,” Karuna Das, a resident of the neighbourhood, told News18.

Firoz, another young resident, said: “The noise was deafening. We immediately rushed out. All the local boys jumped into rescue. We initially took out three people. People were shouting and crying that it’s dangerous.”

The Azan Molla Lane in the city’s western periphery is known to be congested and rampant illegal construction is making matters worse, several residents and locals said. Many are scared to step back into their homes.

“This area was once full of water bodies. But in the last five years, houses have mushroomed all over. In this locality, you will find that most houses are under-construction. This is not a new city. How then have these buildings sprung up in this area without proper distancing? If we raise this issue, they will not allow us to stay here,” a resident told News18 on condition of anonymity.

“This is a nexus between the administration and illegal promoters. Nobody says anything regarding this,” another local in the neighbourhood said.

All such questions are directed against Mayor Firhad Hakim. Speaking to News18, Hakim said: “I have tried a lot to stop illegal construction. But who is doing what in one corner, how will we know? I have already told the police to take strong action against the guilty.”

In a long post on X, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called the tragedy a “TMC-made disaster”.

“More than 800 such illegal constructions exist in the Garden Reach Area itself. The area is the home turf of KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim. Can he feign ignorance? Is it believable that he had no idea that such illegal constructions were happening under his nose without his knowledge? How shameful it is for the culprit to disguise himself as the savior and grab the footage during the relief operations?” Adhikari said.

He demanded the arrest of local councillor Shams Iqbal and an increase in the compensation announced for the victims.

“I feel the compensation announced; 5 lakh for deceased and 1 lakh for injured is grossly inadequate as it is a TMC made disaster. I demand that the next of kin of the deceased should be paid at least Rs. 50 lakhs and the injured should be paid at least Rs. 10 lakhs.”

Adhikari also questioned the legality of political or elected leaders announcing the compensation instead of government officials since the Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha elections is in effect.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the building collapse site and assured locals of stern action against illegal construction.

“These constructions have been done not today, but long ago. The promoters who build such constructions should think about the poor people who live nearby. It should be ensured that the construction is not illegal. The Mayor said this construction was illegal,” Banerjee said.