BENGALURU: Tension gripped 32 families of Queens’ Apartment, located at the junction of Queen’s and Cunningham Roads, on Monday as the C Block of the apartment complex developed huge cracks due to the excavation work taken up by Legacy Global Projects Pvt. Ltd. for a housing project.
A portion of the earth caved in and three trees uprooted due to the landslide around 6.30 am on Monday. Besides, C Block of the apartment developed huge crack making it dangerous for people to stay. The residents pressed the panic button and vacated their flats.
Ms Ambika Nirani, a resident of C Block and a cousin of former minister Murugesh Nirani, told Deccan Chronicle that despite a request by the Queens’ Corner Apartment Association to take necessary precautions, Legacy builders ignored their pleas and put the lives of 32 families in danger. “We and our neighbours have taken hotel rooms and are staying in our relatives’ house as it was too dangerous to live in our flats anymore. Three separate complaints have been filed by Queens’ Corner Apartment and IT Complex residents,” she said.
Upmarket Queen’s Corner apartment on Queen’s Road
After an alert was made, BBMP men rushed to the spot, drained out water from the construction site and cut the uprooted trees. Office secretary of the association, Ms A. Margaret, said that Legacy builders were trying to control the damage by filling the gap. “We have been told that a team of engineers would inspect the spot and give fitness certificate. Till then, the occupants of all the 32 flats have to stay elsewhere,” she said.
BBMP engineer Naresh said that Legacy builders have obtained sanction plan for construction of two lower basements and 13 floors at the site. “It is said that there was a major leak from a BWSSB water supply line. We have brought it to the notice of BWSSB. The soil was damp as water leaked continuously and it loosened further because of rains over the last few days. A portion of the earth caved in, which led to cracks in the building,” he said.
“Nearly 2 feet of water had accumulated at the construction site. BBMP authorities pumped out the accumulated water and removed the fallen trees. We have issued a notice to the builder to ensure safety of the building,” he said.
The BBMP has instructed Legacy builders to take precautionary measures and to fix the cracks and other damage. “Residents of all the 32 flats have vacated and Legacy has been told to provide adequate facilities,” he said.
Legacy’s take: Legacy complained to the BWSSB about the huge 1 metre diameter faulty pipe running in their adjacent property which was gushing water and had also requested for immediate repairs.
Legacy had sent a letter to the BWSSB on June 12 drawing its attention to the impending danger posed by the gushing of water and the resulting erosion of soil. Unfortunately, as anticipated, the large faulty pipe broke this (Monday) morning and the gushing water led to the earth caving in along with the large concrete pylons that Legacy had constructed causing large scale damage to Legacy’s development and other properties in the neighbourhood.
Legacy wishes to state that despite our best efforts to contain the situation, our attempts were in vain owing to lack of support from the BWSSB and the officials concerned.
