Cong leader?s house collapses

A PORTION of a house on Jain Mandir Road in old city owned by former Bhopal Development Authority chairman and State Congress vice-president Ashok Jain ?Bhabha? collapsed at about 2 am on Wednesday.

A PORTION of a house on Jain Mandir Road in old city owned by former Bhopal Development Authority chairman and State Congress vice-president Ashok Jain ‘Bhabha’ collapsed at about 2 am on Wednesday.

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The total damage including household goods was estimated to be worth about Rs 50 lakh. This was fifth house that collapsed in the City after the recent rains.

According to information, Bhabha’s family members came out safely as soon as the walls started cracking. Later the cracks deepened and other parts of the building started crumbling. A portion of the building had been undergoing repairs since the past few days and some additions were also being made to it.

The old portions of the building crumbled initially putting pressure on the newly constructed parts and that collapsed as well. This damaged almost all the household goods. A BMC team was summoned immediately. However, the removal of debris was coming along very slow, as the house was situated in narrow lanes. Mayor Sunil Sood also visited the site. Meanwhile, Bhabha said that the entire house would be reconstructed.

BMC authorities have urged citizens to vacate dilapidated buildings voluntarily. The BMC has thus far issued notices to about 230 house owners in this regard. Officials said it was difficult to forcefully evacuate such buildings due to legal hassles.