Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the wall collapse incident in Bengaluru that claimed multiple lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
PM Modi's Statement
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said, "Pained by the wall collapse tragedy in Bengaluru. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs 50,000."
Details of the Incident
The wall collapse occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the Nandini Layout area of Bengaluru. A retaining wall of a private building under construction gave way, burying several shanties nearby. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Government Response
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, visited the spot and assured all possible assistance to the victims. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased from the state government. The district administration has been directed to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
Political Reactions
Several political leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressed condolences and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The opposition BJP also criticized the state government for alleged negligence in enforcing building safety norms.
Rescue Operations
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed for search and rescue operations. Fire brigade and police personnel also participated in the efforts. The debris was cleared using heavy machinery, and the area has been cordoned off for safety.
The tragic incident has once again raised questions about the enforcement of safety regulations in the city's construction sector. Local residents alleged that illegal construction activities were rampant in the area, and previous complaints had been ignored by authorities.
