Hyderabad residents’ dreams buried under rubble after building demolition

HYDERABAD: The fate of 40 people living in rented accommodation in Gachibowli changed overnight when the building in which they lived began tilting.
Half-dressed, barefoot, and without even a penny in their pockets or their mobile phones, they rushed down four floors leaving everything behind to save their lives. Their main concern — losing all their documents, including ID proofs.
For no fault of theirs, the residents evacuated from the building in Siddiq Nagar have to deal with the loss of all their hard-earned valuables and clothes, among other things. Some of them even sustained injuries while trying to escape from the damaged building.
Injured while rushing out
"As soon as we heard the screams of neighbours, we just ran out. By the time I reached the third floor, someone pushed me from behind, and I fell to the ground floor," said Sadik Hussain, who works as a salesman at a retail store in the vicinity.
Sadik, who was carried by his friends to safety, said, "I feel crippled not just because of injuries to my foot and back, but for losing everything. Even documents of one acre I own in Assam are in the building," said the 26-year-old, adding that his friends had to run from pillar to post to arrange 500 to get him out of the hospital as none of them had their mobile phones or cash. Sadik lived on the fourth floor with nine others from Hailakandi in Assam.
Cracks on the walls
The residents said that time and again they informed the the building owner, and even sent photos, that they had been noticing cracks on walls. In fact, tiles on the kitchen wall started falling since a borewell was dug and construction started in the adjacent plot.
"Even on Monday, we called the owner, but there was no proper response. Now, I lost everything I earned and am just left with the uniform that I am wearing. Back home, my family — mother, father, and sister — is waiting eagerly for us to go home with clothes and other items for Magh Bihu in Jan," said Iqbal Hussain, also from Assam, who lives with his two brothers. He said the three brothers together saved about 60,000 for their parents, which was lost as the building was demolished.
Residents hold out hope
Several migrants from Maharashtra and AP were also living in the building. They were paying about 13,000 per flat. The building is said to have 12 flats. Most migrants are working in retail, hotel, or IT firms as support staff, housekeeping, or guards. "My only hope is I will be allowed to get my gold and cash from my home," said Anjana Das Sardar, who stayed on ground floor.