Investigation Begins into Simhachalam Wall Collapse that Claimed Seven Lives
Committee chairperson S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of MAUD stated, “The accident occurred due to the collapse of the retaining wall. It appears that the incident was caused by poor construction quality.”
Visakhapatnam: A day after the tragic incident in which seven devotees lost their lives following the collapse of a retaining wall during the Chandanotsavam festival at Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, a three-member committee appointed by the state government commenced its investigation on Thursday. The inquiry aims to determine the circumstances that led to the collapse, with officials and contractors now under scrutiny.
The committee members visited the accident site and conducted a preliminary investigation, questioning the contractor and officials responsible for approving the construction. The first phase of the inquiry focused on the involvement of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) and the temple authorities. The government has directed officials to submit a detailed report within 72 hours.
Committee chairperson S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), confirmed that a re-verification process has been initiated. He stated, “The accident occurred due to the collapse of the retaining wall. It appears that the incident was caused by poor construction quality.”
The committee is also examining whether the construction adhered to master plan regulations, considering that the wall was intended to be a temporary structure. Engineers and contractors involved have already been questioned, and a preliminary report is expected to be submitted to the government shortly. A comprehensive report outlining failures and shortcomings will be presented within 30 days.
The investigation began with the questioning of contractor Lakshmana Rao, who oversaw the retaining wall construction. Rao made serious allegations during his testimony, claiming that he was pressured to proceed with the project despite an extremely tight timeline. “There was hardly any time left, and I clearly informed them that it wasn’t feasible to build the wall in just six days,” Rao stated.
Despite his objections, he alleged that officials from the Devasthanam and the Tourism Department insisted he complete the wall before the festival. “They pressured me to build the wall. I was told it was only a temporary structure,” Rao said. His claims have raised concerns about negligence and rushed decision-making by the authorities.
The three-member investigation committee, led by S. Suresh Kumar, includes Ake Ravi Krishna, Inspector General of Police, and Venkateswar Rao, Engineer-in-Chief (FAC) of the Irrigation Department.
Suresh Kumar emphasised that as scrutiny intensifies, authorities are expected to evaluate accountability and ensure that those responsible for negligence face appropriate consequences.