Kolkata, 14 J1uly (H.S.): A comprehensive review of under-construction multi-storey buildings ordered by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) following the Taratala warehouse collapse has revealed widespread violations of construction and safety norms. Of the 160 projects physically inspected by a high-powered committee, only 11 were found to be fully compliant with prescribed regulations, representing just 6.87 per cent of the total.

KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey has received the committee's report. A senior KMC official said on Tuesday that the inspection uncovered serious lapses in a large number of ongoing projects, indicating widespread non-compliance with approved construction standards.

The committee identified 23 under-construction multi-storey buildings with major structural and safety deficiencies. These included the use of substandard construction materials, inadequate worker safety measures, and violations of building codes and mandatory safety regulations. According to the Commissioner, the condition of these projects posed a significant risk of major accidents if construction had been allowed to continue.

In view of the findings, the KMC has ordered an immediate suspension of construction at all 23 projects. Their files have been returned to the respective developers and promoters with directions to rectify the deficiencies. Construction will be permitted to resume only after all shortcomings are addressed and fresh approval is granted by the civic authorities.

KMC sources said that 344 applications for multi-storey building projects have been received over the past three years. In the first phase of the review, 200 ongoing projects were identified, of which 160 sites have already undergone physical inspection. The remaining projects will be examined in subsequent phases.

The report further stated that the audit findings of 41 additional under-construction projects have been forwarded to a technical sub committee for detailed scrutiny. A final decision on these projects will be taken only after the sub-committee completes its assessment and grants the necessary clearance.

The city-wide inspection drive was initiated after the collapse of an under-construction three-storey warehouse in Taratala last month, which claimed 16 lives. Following the tragedy, the KMC ordered a comprehensive review of all under-construction multi-storey projects within its jurisdiction to ensure compliance with safety standards, structural regulations, and approval procedures, with the objective of preventing similar incidents in the future.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh