Hyderabad: Four-storey building dangerously tilts in Siddiqnagar; 30 evacuated

Hyderabad: Around 30 inmates were evacuated after a four-storey building titled dangerously in Madhapur’s Siddiqnagar on Tuesday night.

Panic gripped the residents after the building developed cracks spurring fears of collapse.

According to preliminary findings, excavation activities on a nearby plot -- where a builder was excavating to establish a cellar-- may have caused the building to tilt.

Investigations revealed that a poor foundation and substandard construction practices as the likely reasons for the structural failure.

Several years ago, Madhapur was surrounded by rocks and later it became a hub for many IT companies. Most of the IT employees stay in the hostels which were spread across the locality.

Teams from HYDRAA, the revenue department, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), fire personnel, and Disaster Response Force officials and local police hurried to the scene to evaluate the situation and provide safety after the occurrence.

Officials on Wednesday morning decided to demolish the building to avert any danger. Hydraulic machines were deployed in the area. As a precaution, authorities evacuated the residents in surrounding buildings,.

According to reports, three days ago, a builder began excavating to establish a cellar in his site adjacent to the four-storey building which was said to be the major reason for tilting.

Unfortunately, Iqbal Hussain who was also staying in the building jumped from the third floor due to the panic. Hussain sustained serious injuries and locals immediately rushed him to a private hospital for treatment.

“We constructed the four-storey building two years ago after selling my agricultural land in my village. The excavation activities on a nearby plot are the major reason for the tilting of my building. I am ready to cooperate with the officials and agree to demolish my building to prevent further risks to my neighbors. However, the officials should ensure decent compensation from the builder who began the excavation. What about the future of my children? We will be homeless after the demolition,” Swapna, the four-storey building owner said.

GHMC begins demolishing tilted building

Meanwhile, the GHMC officials deployed the long breaker hydraulic crane and engaged a contractor for the job.

In two days, the building that was built on 70 square yards would be demolished, the officials said.

To avoid crowding by bystanders and any undesirable incidents, police have cordoned off the area.