SCR Orders Probe After Ceiling Collapse at Charlapalli Station

Hyderabad: South Central Railway General Manager Arun Kumar Jain on Sunday directed chief administrative officer Satya Prakash, principal head of the construction wing, to carry out a detailed investigation into the incident of collapse of roofing panels at the spanking new Charlapalli railway station to “take necessary corrective and strict punitive action.”

On Sunday, a portion of the false ceiling had collapsed during heavy rain and wind, creating panic. No one was injured. Similar incidents have occurred at the New Delhi airport and at several new railway stations.

GM Jain inspected the Charlapalli station building and directed officials to remove the remaining portion of the false ceiling at the main entrance. He stated that passenger safety was the highest priority for the railways and asked out officials to carry out repairs accordingly.

Jain was accompanied by additional general manger Neeraj Agarwal and other officials. Satya Prakash briefed the GM on the incident, according to a press release.

The SCR release said that after the collapse of the panels, officials had cordoned off the area. It said the area was cleared of the debris, and passengers were guided through alternative routes to enter and exit the station.

However, an official told Deccan Chronicle called it a “minor accident” and blamed the media for creating panic among people. “The reason for the sheets falling down is the height of the portico. They were placed almost three floors above the ground,” said an official. “The sheets fell due to the force of the wind.” He said the construction work had been awarded to an agency based on a tender.