Sanction plan held back as road caves in

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has withdrawn the sanction plan granted to Salarpuria Sattva on Whitefield Road, bringing the construction activities to an end.

A 40-feet road caved-in on Whitefield Road near Graphite India Limited during the excavation process carried out by the builders on Wednesday night. The officials jumped into action to prevent further damage.

Chief Engineer of Yelahanka and Mahadevapura zones, Parameshwaraiah, said that four people who were working on the site have been taken into custody by the police.

“As further excavation process could damage the entire road, immediate action was necessary,” said Parameshwaraiah. A case has been booked under IPC 308 for damaging public property, he said.

Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun had sent a letter to KIADB officials to withdraw the sanction plan on Thursday morning as the builder is responsible for the damage.

“As some nearby residents had complained about air cracks in their houses due to the excavation work carried out by Salarpuria Sattva developers, the BBMP officials had issued a notice to the builder. However, they had brought a stay from the court and continued the work. Now, we have a hearing on January 21,” said Gangambike.

Parameshwaraiah also said that the plan had expired in May 2018. “The BBMP has undertaken the restoration work on a war footing and a retaining wall will be built to prevent the further damage to the road. Back-filling of the road is being done to avoid further soil slide and an alternative road is open for commuters now,” Parameshwaraiah added.