GANGTOK, 20 May: Three vehicles were crushed Thursday night when the retaining [“plinth”] wall of the NEC Block of Sikkim Government College, Tadong, collapsed on top of them. Two of the vehicles belonged to lecturers, while the third is owned by one of the students. The incident took place at around 1.30 a.m., Friday
Although classes were held as normal at the NEC Block today even after the incident, the collapse of the retaining wall is feared to have compromised the stability of the structure. The SGC Principal, Dr. MP Kharel, when contacted, informed that engineers “involved in the construction of the building” had inspected the site and reassured the college management that the structure was safe. It was only after this assurance from the engineers that the block was opened for classes, he informed.
Interestingly, the district authorities, who also visited the site today, are not as confident of the stability of the building.
