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.
The SDM [Gangtok], Dr. AB Karki, in his letter to the Principal on the damage, requests, that “in the interest of the students”, the damaged area be “properly demarcated and entry to students be locked for their safety”.
Interestingly, students at the site informed today that cracks had been noticed on the wall many days back. While this was an obvious indication of the weakening of the structure nothing noticeable was done to reinforce it. Above the collapsed wall is the four-storeyed NEC building and across the road from it is the college auditorium. Next to the block, above the collapsed wall is the college canteen which continued to receive students throughout the day.
The NEC Block is the latest addition to the college campus, constructed 3-4 years back.
In an official letter [No. 182/SDM(E) dated 20/5/2011] to the Principal, the SDM [Gangtok] has also recommended that a “watchman/ estate manager be placed on the spot and hourly reports may be obtained by the authority”. This is obviously because the district authorities are not convinced that the structure is safe.
In fact, the letter also directs that “monitoring may be done on regular interval and all safety measures be kept in place.”
Speaking to NOW!, SDM [Gangtok], Dr. AB Karki said, “On the directions of the District Collector [East], a joint inspection team comprising of DPO [East], Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineer, Divisional Engineer and Assistant Engineer of Human Resource Development Department and myself visited the site and inspected the damage.” The letter to the Principal is the preliminary report on the status there.
The collapse has also disrupted power supply in the area and the inspection team also discovered that the remaining wall has also developed hairline cracks. The HRDD has started restoration works at the spot.
who is the contractor?
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