Showroom gives way in Baltana

Tribune News Service

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Zirakpur, December 1

A single-storey marble showroom collapsed due to seepage in Baltana during the digging of a basement of an under-construction hotel nearby. The incident took place in Baltana near the Chandigarh-Ambala highway around 3 pm. However, no one was present in the showroom.

Eyewitnesses said 40-foot-deep digging work was being carried out for parking in the basement of an under-construction hotel. Zirakpur Municipal Council officials rushed to spot and took stock of the situation.

Hotel owners Rahul Goel and Sohan Lal told officials that the digging work was being done after taking permission. The map of the under-construction building was approved. An agreement regarding the digging work near the foundation of the showroom was also signed by the two parties. Officials said the documents of the under-construction building were being verified.

Zirakpur MC Executive Officer Girish Verma said, “An inquiry has been marked to the municipal engineer and the official has been asked to submit the report regarding the collapse of the building within one week. No complaint has been received in this regard till now.”

Eyewitnesses said the showroom collapsed due to water seepage near its foundation even though piling was done on all four sides to avoid caving of earth.