A family in Bengaluru’s Central Business District (CBD) had a close escape on Wednesday evening when a part of their two-storey building collapsed, causing the structure to tilt dangerously. The incident occurred around 4:30 pm, as the family was having tea and watching TV. The collapse of nearly half of the floor, likely caused by foundation damage from nearby construction work, caused significant panic. The building, located opposite Shri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple on New Thippasandra Road, houses a handicraft and brass artefacts shop on the ground floor and a family of four on the first floor.
Tenant Susheela M recounted the frightening moment, saying, “For a moment, I thought it was an earthquake. The force was so strong that the bed shifted, knocking my son over. Thankfully, no one was hurt.” Susheela, her husband Kumar, and their two children had been residing in the building for seven years. Her daughter, still shaken, said, “My hands are trembling.”
Preliminary investigations suggest that excavation work at the neighboring construction site may have weakened the building’s foundation. Excavation at the neighboring property, which had recently completed its foundation work and was installing steel structures, is believed to have compromised the affected building’s stability. Eyewitnesses suspect negligence, possibly due to improper earthmover usage during excavation. However, a BBMP official defended the builder, stating that the construction followed proper setback regulations and was being managed by a reputable contractor.
As firefighters readied for demolition, the family was allowed time to retrieve important documents. Senior BBMP officials confirmed the building would be demolished by night, with heavy machinery deployed to clear the debris. Local officials and residents raised concerns over the area’s unstable soil, once part of a lake, which may have contributed to the collapse.
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