UP students escape noon tragedy in school mess

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Students of Ponnara Government Model UP school had a narrow escape on Wednesday when the roof over the school's mess hall came crashing down barely minutes after their lunch break. A portion of the kitchen too collapsed.
"As exams are going on, we served an early lunch at around 12 noon and the students were back in class by 12.45pm," said V Sudarshanan, principal.
"At around 1.30pm, we heard a deafening sound and rushed to the spot. Fortunately no student or staff was inside the mess hall at the time," he said.
Major tragedy was averted as the usual lunch time is from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
Later, local residents and BJP activists barged into the principal's office demanding that a complaint be filed regarding the lapse on the part of those involved with the building construction. The building had been erected by the city corporation just eight years ago.
Ironically, another building which is over fifty years old and houses a few classes and the school administrative section, stands erect right next to the building that collapsed.
Health minister V S Sivakumar, who visited the school, promised Rs 50 lakh from his MLA local area development fund to reconstruct the structure.
Owing to pressure from local residents, the principal submitted a written complaint to Fort police station and initiated an inquiry.
A copy of the complaint was marked to the city corporation and collector. "We have visited the site and collected the statements of concerned people. The matter will be investigated.
Based on preliminary inquiry, the information we have is that the contractor who executed the work passed away a few years ago after a heart attack," said Ajichandran Nair, circle inspector, Fort station.
"A panel will be formed to study the structural stability of the building. Till then, the area will be cordoned off to avoid danger," said Suresh Kumar, assistant executive engineer, Thiruvananthapuram corporation.