BENGALURU: A three-storey building in west Bengaluru’s Rajajinagar VI Block developed cracks and was leaning dangerously to its left after BWSSB workers reportedly dug up the earth next to its foundation while fixing sewage pipelines.
The work was carried out on Saturday and BWSSB workers were changing the sewage pipeline connecting to the storm water drain from Karumariyamma Temple Road, near Magadi Road. In the process, the water board changed 50-60 metres of pipes.
On Sunday, neighbours of the three-storey building, owned by Govindaraj, noticed that the structure was leaning to the walls on the side and had developed cracks. “We could clearly see the building was leaning,” a resident said. “While replacing the sewage pipes, BWSSB had used a JCB machine to dig and pull out old and damaged pipes. While digging the earth, the JCB machine damaged the building foundation. The stones used in the foundation were lying on the road,” residents claimed.
A BWSSB spokesperson said they never touched the building foundation. “Residents had made several complaints about leakage in sewage pipes. On Saturday, we replaced the pipes and did not dig more than four to five feet. We are not sure why the building tilted,” he said.
Govindaraju, in his late 60s, was not available for comment as his house was locked and his mobile phone switched off. “In the ground floor, Govindaraju runs his shop, GH Kumar Automobiles and Engineering Works. The two upper floors are occupied by his five-member family. All of them shifted to a relative’s house on Magadi Road on Sunday,” neighbours said.
