Kollam: The revenue department has started an investigation into the collapse of the podium on the Puttingal temple premises here. The district collector, Dr S. Karthikeyan, ordered the Paravur village officer to submit a report. A team of officials including engineers from the public works department (PWD) also inspected the site to analyse the reason behind the collapse of the structure scientifically. The temple governance council meeting on Tuesday decided to abandon this year’s Meenabharani festival owing to the accident.
Meanwhile, the police booked its contractor, Babu Unnithan, for endangering the safety of people. Nine labourers who were giving the final touches of its roofing were hurt. The works on the concrete podium with a length of 55 feet and height of 17 feet started a few months back. According to the preliminary inference, the structure lacked proper enforcement using beams and pillars. In April 2016, competitive fireworks during a festival at the temple had turned into a major disaster claiming 110 lives and leaving over 700 injured.
