The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : KIMS ’digging’ puts flat residents in jeopardy

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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

KIMS ’digging’ puts flat residents in jeopardy

Abhijit Dev Kumar & D.V.L. Padma Priya

Apartment complexes in D.V. Colony behind the hospital develop cracks

— PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

On shaky ground: A view of the construction site that has endangered the lives of people residing in the apartments at D.V. Colony.

HYDERABAD: Three apartment complexes in D.V. Colony, behind the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) on Ministers’ Road, have developed cracks, endangering the lives of more than 180 residents in view of what the residents allege to be ‘careless digging’ for the construction of another building on the KIMS premises.

With the residents getting anxious over the stability of their apartment buildings, GHMC authorities have evacuated more than 36 families out of the buildings and provided accommodation for them in nearby hotels. However, most of these evacuees have moved back to their apartments on Monday after it stopped raining.

In addition to these three complexes – Akash Innova Residency, Arihant Residency and a multi-storied building on Plot No. 19, Terapanth Bhavan, a community hall and part of a Jain temple also developed cracks. These buildings are next to the KIMS premises where a huge pit, almost 40 feet deep was dug up for constructing two levels of cellar for a four-storied building.

“The careless digging and construction activity in KIMS, without taking into account the type of soil, has led to our buildings developing cracks,” alleged V.C. Shah, general manager of Tata Projects, one of the residents. On Saturday evening, the residents had a scare when they watched as the watchman’s quarter collapsed.

“After the seeing the room collapse, we noticed the cracks on our buildings too. We had no choice but to move out,” recalls P.D. Jakotia, president of Akash Innova Residency welfare association.

Boundary wall

To make matters worse, drainage lines connecting the colony to Tank Bund broke near the boundary wall of the Terapanth Bhavan. Apartment walls and floors adjoining the construction site developed deep fissures after the rains lashed the city on Saturday evening.

“Those responsible for the construction did not take proper measures in pinning the soil that was near the apartments. They should quickly start building a retaining wall to avoid further damages,” suggested Mr. Shah. Though GHMC officials asked residents to stay away for as long as possible, residents returned to their homes on Sunday morning.

However, some residents were not alerted about the calamitous situation and came to know about it after seeing others leaving at 9 p.m. on Saturday. A part of the Parashpadmavati Jain temple was cordoned off by the temple authorities after cracks developed in one of rooms on the ground floor. Officials in KIMS assured the protesting residents on Sunday that measures will be taken to prevent the soil from further erosion and the all damages to the buildings will be repaired.

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Andhra Pradesh