Nod for second mobile tower not taken: Kharar SDM

MOHALI: The builder had not taken permission to erect the second mobile tower atop the three-storey building which collapsed in Sante Majra village on Kharar-Landran road here on February 8, according to the probe conducted by Kharar sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Himanshu Jain.
"We have scrutinised the records with Kharar municipal council (MC) and found that the permission for erecting only one mobile tower was taken by the builder in 2016.He illegally put up the second mobile tower. He has also failed to furnish any documentary evidence for the structure stability report before erecting the mobile towers. We are recording the statements of employees and other staff of the builder and are likely to complete the report within a day or two," Jain said.
Preliminary report had found that the basement of the plot adjoining the three-storied building was dug up beyond the permissible limit, exposing the foundation of the building and leading to its collapse. The builder had also not informed the MC before digging up the basement.
The SDM said while the MC had sanctioned the building plan, the builder had not told the council of the digging of the basement -a mandatory practice. He said it was alleged by the builder that the contractor started digging without his consent and dug more than the sanctioned depth, which could have resulted in the collapse of the adjacent building.
The SDM said, "We are also seeking the opinion of experts on the structure stability as well as ill-effects of digging beyond the permissible limit. The exact cause of collapse of the three-storied building is also being studied. The injured had told us the they had tried to flee when the building started shaking and came crashing down." Four people had been trapped under the debris. While two were rescued within minutes, and another late in the night. A JCB driver, Harvinder Singh alias Baboo, had been pulled out dead.