West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is set to provide a detailed statement in the Assembly concerning the recent warehouse roof collapse in Taratala, which tragically resulted in five fatalities and numerous critical injuries. The Chief Minister’s forthcoming statement holds significant importance, particularly amidst allegations of illegal construction by the warehouse owner, Sambhunath Behra, allegedly in collusion with corrupt officials from the previous Trinamool Congress-led board in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Behra, along with three others, including Muhammad Gulzar, the warehouse supervisor, and labor contractors Muhammad Atayul and Subhas Chowdhury, has been arrested by the Kolkata Police following their detention for questioning.
The construction of the warehouse, situated on Kolkata Port Trust land, had raised concerns previously, with the workers’ union from the port trust, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), warning of potential disaster. The union had specifically pointed fingers at Asgar, a reputed figure in the dock area, for his involvement in the illicit construction.
Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are ongoing in Taratala, where individuals are still feared to be trapped under the debris. The collapsed structure has been cleared using a hydraulic crane, with 29 individuals rescued so far, five of whom succumbed to their injuries. At present, 24 individuals are receiving medical treatment at SSKM Hospital, with two reported to be in critical condition. Initial reports suggest that four of the deceased were residents of Nadia, while one hailed from Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas.
