Wall Collapse Victims Await Justice as Repairs Languish
Nearly two months after a section of the compound wall at Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru collapsed during heavy rain, killing seven people, the damaged portions remain unrepaired. Officials attribute the delay to administrative hurdles and a change in the agency responsible for the reconstruction.
Who Owns the Wall?
The wall belongs to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute, which operates under the department of medical education. However, civil works on the campus had been entrusted to the engineering wing of the health department. Following directions from the medical education department, the health department’s chief engineer prepared an estimate of Rs 55 lakh for reconstructing the 200-metre stretch of wall. The proposal was submitted with a request for exemption under Section 4(G) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act to expedite the work.
Exemption Denied, Work Transferred
The exemption was not granted. Instead, the project was transferred to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development (KRIDL), formerly the Karnataka Land Army Corporation. KRIDL is exempt from the conventional tendering process for public works valued at up to Rs 2 crore. Health department chief engineer JR Mukkanna Naik noted that his department would have required only seven days to invite tenders and three days to evaluate bids and issue a work order. “Had the work remained with us, the reconstruction could have been completed by now,” he said.
Uncertainty at the Medical College
Medical college officials say they remain uncertain about when the wall will be rebuilt. According to Dr HM Srikanth, coordinating officer at the medical college, KRIDL engineers are conducting soil tests before starting construction. The delay has raised concerns among local residents and families of the victims, who are still awaiting justice.
