Excavation for high-rise building caves in

Mangalore, June 1 (UNI) Scant regard shown by the promoter of a high-rise building to the notice urging for construction of a retaining wall led to a portion of the excavated hillock caving in on the building under construction in the heart of the city, yesterday.

The hillock had developed cracks and the second landslide in the last ten days had created panic among the residents of apartments atop the hillock. The labourers had a providential escape.

It was said that the builder had excavated a portion of the hillock unscientifically and in violation of guidelines. However, unheeding the notice, the builders had piled up sand bags, instead of constructing the retaining wall, it was alleged.

Experts from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, (NITK), who visited the spot, opined that the damage could not be rectified as the soil had been removed at 90 degree.

Deputy Commissioner Dr M V Parswanath, who visited the spot last evening, had vacated the residents of apartments atop the hillock.

He had also strictly instructed the promoter of the high-rise building to immediately take up work on the retaining wall.

UNI MA GD RKN1709