Overview
- Cracks in a multi-storey building in the Chalaunthi area widened late Friday, prompting an evacuation around 10 pm and leaving some families outside in freezing temperatures.
- Panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh inspected the site, ordered perimeter safety and relief for evacuees, pledged an inquiry, and blamed NHAI as he called for an immediate halt to blasting.
- Public Works Department experts began a stability audit, while the deputy commissioner formed a committee led by the SDM to assess damage, with a report due within a week to guide compensation.
- Four-lane construction at the site has been halted as residents, a local councillor and trade union leaders accuse nighttime blasting of causing building and road cracks and demand accountability and compensation.
- A recent GSI report tied previous damage to blasting vibrations and pipeline leaks, after which blasting permissions were revoked and a criminal negligence case filed, and Saturday’s incident also triggered traffic curbs for heavy vehicles on nearby routes.