Ironically, the under-construction building, belonging to a BBMP pourakarmika, is partly funded by the Palike under a 22.75 per cent quota meant for the uplift of Scheduled Castes. The cubby-hole child care centre, measuring just 8x6 ft, is tucked between two tall buildings.
Eye-witnesses said the incident occurred when the children were having lunch under the watchful eyes of their custodian, Selvi (23).
When the roof caved in under the weight of the collapsed wall, Selvi and a vegetable vendor, Saroja, ran out of the centre screaming for help. Neighbours said the children were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and later shifted to Vani Vilas and Victoria Hospitals. Two children who suffered head injuries were admitted to Nimhans.
However, all children, except one, are stated to be out of danger. Three-year-old Narmada is said to be in a critical condition.
Selvi, who was treated for minor injuries at the Vani Vilas Hospital, said they had complained to house owner Ramu twice about the construction of the wall. “We had been complaining to the owner about the wall being too high and dangerously protruding onto our day care centre, but to no avail,” she said. Ironically, a large space right opposite the day care centre, is an Anganwadi centre, a State-run institution meant to take care of children when their parents are away on work. But that building was in such a dilapidated condition that the parents preferred to put their children under Selvi’s care.
Treatment cost
BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, who visited the centre, said the Palike would bear the treatment cost of all the children injured in the mishap. “We will try to ensure that such accidents do not recur wherever construction of houses under the 22.75 per cent scheme is underway,” he said.
He also issued orders for the immediate demolition and reconstruction of the Anganwadi centre. A circular is likely to be issued to all zonal commissioners and chief engineers to ensure safety measures and quality control of houses being constructed under the BBMP scheme. The owner of the house, Ramu, whose wife is a pourakarmika, has been arrested along with the contractor, Shankar.
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