Chandigarh, January 6, 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): This morning, a portion of a long-abandoned building near the Mehfil Hotel in Sector 17, Chandigarh, suddenly collapsed. Fortunately, there were no casualties or property damage, as the building and nearby shops had already been evacuated due to safety concerns raised by local authorities. The abandoned building had shown signs of structural instability for some time.
A few days ago, cracks appeared in the structure, prompting local authorities to issue a safety notice to the building owner. The notice instructed the owner to vacate the building and take steps to demolish the old, deteriorating structure in favor of a new one. The owner had agreed to the demolition, and plans for complete reconstruction were already in progress.
In response to the cracks and the deteriorating condition of the structure, the administration took swift action, ensuring the building was evacuated on time to prevent any harm to residents or businesses in the area. By the time of the collapse, the building was empty, and the surrounding shops had also been evacuated, effectively preventing any casualties or property damage.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of timely intervention by authorities to ensure public safety, especially when dealing with potentially dangerous buildings. While the collapse was sudden, the preventive measures taken by both the administration and the building owner helped avert major destruction.
Local authorities are currently investigating the causes of the collapse, with initial reports indicating that the building was considered unsafe. Further investigations will be conducted to fully understand the extent of the structural failure.
Summary: A portion of an abandoned building in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 collapsed. Authorities had evacuated the area in time, preventing casualties. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.