Retaining wall gives way in Domlur

Brings down transformer affecting power supply for 10 hours

Heavy rain on Tuesday led to the collapse of the retaining wall of a building under construction, also bringing down a nearby transformer.

The wall was part of a 12-storey administrative building of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The contract was given to DEC Infrastructure & Projects (India) Private Limited by CPWD and the site has been under construction since February 2012, covering an area of 4,000 square metres. The incident occurred around 1.30 am, affecting power supply in the area for over 10 hours.

CPWD superintending engineer S N Rai said: “Anchors, which have a capacity of 135 tonnes, were put in a 45-degree angle to support the walls. We believe one of these anchors must have given way. We are yet to establish the real cause of the mishap. As of now, we are trying to restore the damaged portion of the road.”

Domlur corporator Geetha Srinivas Reddy told Deccan Herald that she had requested CPWD to build new drainage and sewage pipelines before the construction of the Kendriya Sadan. “However, my suggestion was not taken seriously. I think the incident happened due to the presence of loose soil underneath the building. Due to the collapse of the transformer pole, sewage pipelines in and around have been badly damaged,” she added.

CPWD engineer Damodar Rao said since the site was in a low-lying area, the wall came under immense pressure as water collected in and around it.

“The soil on the side of the collapsed wall loosened due to the damaged sewage lines as well as constant rain, which could have caused the mishap,” he said.