Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced financial assistance for the victims of the tragic roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata’s Taratala area.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “The mishap in Kolkata yesterday is saddening. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each will be given from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the mishap. The injured would be given ₹50,000. The state government is working round the clock to ensure that those affected receive all possible assistance.”
The accident occurred around noon on Wednesday when the roof of an under-construction warehouse on P-2 Transport Depot Road in Taratala suddenly collapsed, trapping dozens of workers engaged at the site. According to officials, nearly 40 labourers were present inside the structure when the collapse took place.
Rescue teams from the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kolkata Police, the state Fire and Emergency Services Department, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and civil defence authorities launched a large-scale operation immediately after the incident.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited both the accident site and the injured workers at SSKM Hospital on Wednesday. He described the collapse as a consequence of flaws in the building plan and said strict action would be taken against those responsible.
He said, “In the aftermath of this incident, all under-construction commercial projects in the KMC area will remain suspended till July 31. Their building plans and site conditions will be thoroughly reviewed. Projects complying with all regulations will be allowed to resume work from August 1.”
(With agency inputs)
