Kolkata: The mandatory pre-construction soil tests were not carried out at the Taratala site, revealed an internal KMC investigation into the collapse of a warehouse being built there.
A team from the structural engineering department at Jadavpur University will carry out soil tests once the steel and concrete debris is removed from the site. Sixteen people were killed and 17 were rescued in the incident.
The KMC’s investigation found out that the permission to build the three-storey warehouse was granted before the mandatory soil-testing report on the site was submitted. Also, the structural design was not documented during the construction work though a compulsory step for any project.
Structural engineers from JU, whose help Kolkata Police sought to investigate the reason behind the collapse, will carry out the soil test, though it was supposed to be done before the construction started to evaluate the ground’s strength and stability. Schprevents buildings from sinking, tilting or cracking. Experts check load-bearing capacity (how much weight the dirt can hold), soil type (sand, clay, etc.), and groundwater levels to ensure a safe foundation.
The team has already collected the structure samples from the site and is currently testing them. This will determine if inadequate or substandard material was used in the construction.
A member of the team said they were also waiting for documents to be handed over by the police, including architectural, structural and sectional drawings of the warehouse that are critical to understand whether faulty design led to the instability and ultimate collapse of the structure.
On Tuesday, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a comprehensive relief package for the families affected by the Taratala warehouse roof collapse, including financial assistance, employment support, free medical treatment and educational aid for the victims’ children.
At a programme held at the state secretariat on Wednesday, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari handed over cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the 16 workers who lost their lives in the June 24 tragedy. Those injured in the accident received financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each.