West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari honored the rescue teams involved in the recent Taratala warehouse roof collapse incident at a special ceremony. He praised the quick response of the Indian Army, NDRF, Civil Defence, Fire Services, Health Department, and Kolkata Police for their teamwork. Adhikari also announced a special fund of Rs 200 crore to enhance the state’s disaster management system.
On June 24, a tragic incident at Taratala led to the death of 16 workers due to a roof collapse. Adhikari mentioned that the accident resulted from a construction design flaw reported by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Several individuals, including the company owner and former Mayor’s OSD, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Chief Minister detailed plans to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness. He allocated Rs 200 crore in the budget for modern rescue equipment and infrastructure development. Adhikari disclosed the formation of a specialized disaster response unit with ex-Army personnel and firefighters for advanced training and deployment in key areas.
Assuring swift improvements in the state’s disaster response capabilities, Adhikari pledged to address deficiencies within a year. He commended the local residents of Taratala, particularly the youth who initiated rescue efforts. Adhikari promised a personal visit to express gratitude to these local heroes.
