Deadly Collapse at MVSR Engineering College Dandiya Night Sparks Safety and Permission Row
The student also alleged that Meerpet police, who reached the spot, found that permission had not been obtained for the event.
Hyderabad:Students at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul were left panicking after a lighting structure collapsed during the college’s Dandiya Night on Saturday, killing students and injuring several others. Students alleged that the 80-foot truss was erected without adequate support, raising questions over safety arrangements, vendor selection and permissions for the event.
The event was organised as part of Sangamam 2026, a two-day technical and cultural festival that concluded on Satrrday. Promotional material circulated among students described it as MVSR’s first Dandiya event and urged them to participate to make it a success. The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department was involved in organising the fest.
The Sangamam 2026 organising committee scheduled Dandiya Night for Saturday from 5 pm to 7.30 pm at the college playground. Six college buses were scheduled to be available at 7.45 pm, which took most of the students back.
A student said early-bird passes cost ₹299, while regular passes were priced at ₹350. The student also alleged that ₹300 had been collected from students and that the total collection was around ₹6 lakh.
The student alleged that the CSE department had initially earmarked ₹3 lakh for a vendor, but the college management eventually selected a cheaper vendor. The student cited another figure of ₹2.5 lakh, though the management has not confirmed the same.
Questions have also been raised over the lighting structure. The student claimed that the approximately 80-foot truss stood without visible support. Mannan, a light technician in the city said that temporary lighting structures require appropriate structural design and stability measures, including anchoring or ballast where necessary, depending on their configuration, loads and site conditions. “The structure’s design, installation and compliance with safety requirements need to be examined to establish whether negligence was involved,” he said.
The student also alleged that Meerpet police, who reached the spot, found that permission had not been obtained for the event.
Students said they had received no official communication from the college, either through official groups or in person, following the accident. The lack of information added to anxiety to the students.
As the situation remained tense, student leaders and others entered the college premises, with some attempting to vandalise property as police tried to control the situation. Sangamam convener Dr Rajesh H. Kulkarni and co-convenor Dr Akhil Khare were unavailable for comment. Shiva Prasad, coordinator for the event, refused to comment.
