JOIN USThe BBMP lodged an FIR against Legacy Global Projects Pvt Ltd (LGP) for showing sheer negligence while excavating land at its housing project on Cunningham Road here which damaged the foundation of an adjoining apartment and an IT firm.
Fearing for their lives, residents of 32 flats at Block ‘C’ in Queens Corner apartment were forced to vacate their homes on Monday.
BBMP administrator T M Vijayabhaskar told Deccan Herald that LGP had excavated 1.5 metres more than the requirement and due to this the earth caved in.
Ideally, additional excavation has to be done only at places where pillars will be erected, but the builder has dug up the entire plot.
Also, a retaining wall has to be constructed to avoid accidents.
“An expert team from the BBMP has visited the spot and a report will be submitted on Wednesday. Necessary action will be taken thereafter,” said Vijayabhaskar.
Till the apartment block is inspected, LGP will bear the accommodation expenses of the families who are now staying in a nearby hotel, Vijayabhaskar added.
BWSSB engineer-in-chief S Krishnappa said they have also filed an FIR and issued notice to LGP for shifting the 15-inch pre-independence era pipeline which passes through the property.
The shifting caused a breakage in the pipeline which resulted in flooding. Krishnappa said: “We have lost nearly 5 lakh litres of water which otherwise is supplied to the areas around Shivajinagar. The Cauvery stage III water supply has now been suspended and water is being supplied through water tankers.”
Krishnappa said that during inspection, it was found that some junior engineers of BWSSB were involved in changing the pipeline illegally. The cast iron pipeline was attached with mild steel pipelines creating a U-shape network.
Normally, pipelines of two different varieties cannot be joined, but LGP along with the junior engineers have attempted to join them which has resulted in a disaster. A departmental enquiry will be conducted, he added.
Residents of Income Tax department quarters, neighbouring the project site, have filed a complaint against LGP with the Cubbon Park police under Section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC. The builder, however, said that the “sheer negligence shown by the BWSSB in addressing the large faulty pipeline from which water was gushing out eroding soil and passing through our site” led to the incident.