GUWAHATI: A huge hoarding mounted atop a three storyed building collapsed in Maligaon on Tuesday, May 28 morning with a part of it hanging precariously over an adjacent building.
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Recently GPlus had reported that the illegal hoardings in Guwahati were prone to such accidents that could lead to a Mumbai-like incident in which several people died recently.
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The police, fire and emergency services, and Guwahati Municipal Corporation are battling to avert any untoward situation.
The incident happened at around 5 am near the Kamakhya gate when strong winds brought down the 30 feet x 30 feet hoarding; only one post of the hoarding was preventing it from collapsing on the adjacent building
The owner of the building on which the hoarding was installed, Debarata Das, talking to GPlus said, "As soon as we heard that it fell and was hanging, we rushed and purchased ropes and bamboos to hold the structure from falling on the adjacent building."
The owner of the building, over which the hoarding is hanging, Ajit Das, talking to GPlus said, "I am very scared. What will happen if it falls on my building? Why does GMC give such permission?"
Abhijit Das, son of Ajit Das, said that so many people died in Mumbai recently after a hoarding had collapsed, but the authorities are not worried in Guwahati. He said that it's not about hoarding falling on thier building, but he asserted "It could fall on anyone".
GMC officials said that the hoarding was authorised and Delta Publicity had taken permission from GMC. But on questioning why such mishap happened, the official said, " Structural design certificate, issued by an engineer, is provided by the agency, thereafter the permission is given," adding action will be initiated against the engineer who provided permission for this structure.
It needs to be mentioned that the emergency services and GMC are trying to remove the structure before it falls on the building which would be risky. A haudralic crane was also called in to resolve the issue.
