The woman, identified as Keya Sharma Chowdhury, was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her “brought dead”. Her husband, Sudip Sharma Chowdhury, filed a complaint with the police against the promoter.
“A small part of a five-storey house collapsed on Saturday night in Ward No 17 in Birati of North Dumdum municipal area. Keya Sharma Chowdhury was standing under the house talking on the phone at that time. She lived next door. The brick of the house under construction fell on the woman’s head and she died,” said a local police officer.
“After this incident, the deceased’s husband Sudip Sharma Chowdhury filed a complaint of illegal construction at the Airport Police Station. Those who have been named in the complaint are promoter Gautam Dey, his associates Saju Sen, Tapanbha Ghosh, and high-rise builder Ajay Roy,” added the officer.
The complainant claimed that the five-story multi-storey building was being constructed without the necessary approval from the municipality.
Mahua Sil, Councillor, Ward 17 of North Dum Dum Municipality, expressed regret over the incident. “It is a very sad incident. But it would be wrong to compare it with the Garden Reach incident. No illegal construction is allowed in my municipal area. We don’t do anything for our gain,” said Sil.
In another incident on Sunday morning, the cornice of an old house collapsed on Paramhansa Dev Road in Ward No 82 of Chetla, damaging a car. However, there are no reports of casualties.
After the incident, the residents expressed anger against the administration. They said the house has been in a dilapidated condition for a long time but the municipality took no action.
“We live next door. At 5 am, I heard a loud noise and came out in panic. I saw that the cornice of that house was broken and had fallen on the road. Many people travel through this road every day. No one was hurt because it was early hours but at any other time of the day, a bigger accident could have happened,” said a resident.
Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Minister in Charge, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Government, also expressed regret over such accidents. “I used to think for so long that the work is done if orders are given. But I can see that it doesn’t happen. It is my misfortune that despite so many efforts I am unable to prevent these accidents,” said Hakim.
“I have already spoken to the Commissioner of Police. In the coming days, strict action will be taken against promoters in case of illegal constructions. Now that the election code of conduct is in place, I can’t say more than that,” Hakim, who is also the Kolkata Mayor, added.