Crumble continues for building imperiled by NH31A back-cutting

SINGTAM, 17 July: The landslide-affected building of panchayat secretary, Sirwani Chalamthang GPU, Bimal Lamichamey, located above the Government Fruit Preservation Factory here was inspected by SDM, East, Dr. AB Karki yesterday. He was accompanied by GREF’s Major Chetan Kumar, Additional Engineer, Assistant Engineer and the personnel from SPWD and Irrigation Departments.

The building damaged on the night of 13 July when the slope below it failed [due to back-cutting on NH 31-A] remains unstable. The kitchen and the toilet which were severely damaged at the first phase of the incident have now been completely crumbled away with the verandah tilting dangerously towards the National Highway below and one of the rooms destroyed. The step wall below the house constructed by GREF is also marked with cracks with some portions already damaged.
The SDM, after inspecting the building and the surrounding areas, directed GREF to do the necessary in repairing the damage. Major Kumar informed that GREF personnel were engaged at preventing further damage to the building.
The SDM further directed all the 16 people residing at the building to vacate the house. Alternate arrangements have been made for them at Singtam Marwari Dharamshala.  
Meanwhile the locals and the panchyats have accused GREF of negligence. They expressed that had GREF been thoughtful enough, it would have ensured adequate protection for the affected area before cutting away the hill for road expansion.