Six individuals have been apprehended in relation to the devastating warehouse collapse in Kolkata's Tangra area, announced West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader confirmed that the arrested include the owner of the warehouse and several others involved in the construction. Adhikari further stated that action would be taken against the architect who designed the structure, which has been deemed illegal.
Details of the Arrests
According to Adhikari, the arrests were made following a thorough investigation by the Kolkata Police. The warehouse, located in the Tangra neighborhood, collapsed on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring several others. The building was reportedly being used for storage purposes and had been constructed without proper approvals from the municipal authorities. The owner, identified as Rajesh Singh, is among those taken into custody. The other five individuals include contractors and supervisors who were overseeing the construction work.
Adhikari emphasized that the state government would not spare anyone found guilty of negligence. "We have arrested six people so far, and we will take strict action against the architect who prepared the illegal design. This is a clear case of criminal negligence that led to loss of lives," he said during a press conference in Kolkata.
Impact and Rescue Operations
The collapse occurred on Monday afternoon, trapping several workers under the debris. Rescue operations were launched immediately by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local fire brigade teams. After hours of effort, three bodies were recovered, while 12 injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals. The injured are reported to be in stable condition. The building, which was around 15 years old, had reportedly developed cracks in recent months, but no action was taken to address the safety concerns.
Local residents had previously complained about the unsafe condition of the structure, but their pleas were ignored. The incident has sparked outrage among the local community, with demands for stricter enforcement of building codes and accountability of municipal officials. Adhikari has called for a high-level inquiry into the collapse and urged the state government to compensate the families of the victims adequately.
Political Reactions
The opposition has seized upon the incident to criticize the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over alleged corruption and lax oversight in construction projects. Adhikari accused the TMC of turning a blind eye to illegal constructions in exchange for bribes. "This is not an isolated incident. There are hundreds of illegal buildings across Kolkata that pose a serious threat to lives. The TMC government is hand-in-glove with builders and has failed to ensure safety standards," he said.
In response, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh denied the allegations and said that the government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter. "We will not tolerate any negligence. The guilty will be punished irrespective of their political connections," Ghosh stated. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has also issued a notice to the warehouse owner, directing him to demolish any remaining unsafe portions of the structure.
Broader Implications
The warehouse collapse is the latest in a series of building failures in West Bengal, raising questions about the enforcement of the West Bengal Building Regulations Act. According to data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, over 1,200 buildings in the city are considered unsafe or illegal, yet only a fraction have been acted upon. Experts say that a lack of accountability and corruption in the issuance of building permits are key factors behind such tragedies.
Urban development specialist Dr. Suman Roy commented, "The problem is systemic. Without a robust inspection mechanism and severe penalties for violations, such incidents will continue. The government must take immediate steps to audit all high-risk buildings and implement a transparent approval process." The state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
