Indore temple tragedy could have been averted had officials acted in time

The Indore temple tragedy, which claimed at least 14 lives and injured many others, could have been averted had the civic authorities acted on the complaints filed by residents. The stepwell roof of an ancient 'bavdi' (a large well) situated in Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple in Indore collapsed during the Ram Navami festival on Thursday.

The temple in Patel Nagar where the tragedy took place had been constructed after covering the well about four decades ago.

Accoding to the officials 12 bodies were found during the rescue operation, while two others died at a hospital. An Army rescue team from nearby Mhow town has been called in for help and a magisterial inquiry will be conducted into the incident.

An eyewitness said that during the religious program on the occasion of Ram Navami, there was a huge crowd of devotees on the slab which covered the ancient well. The slab could not bear the weight and collapsed around 12 noon.

In April 2022, a notice issued to the Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple trust, saying the Indore Municipal Corporation commissioner has received a complaint of encroachment on the park-cum-garden.

According to NDTV report, the park was encroached first by building a water tank and then by building a temple on the stepwell. Another temple is being allegedly built close to this existing one by encroaching the same land, the complaint said.

However, the temple trust secretary denied any encroachment on the park-garden and accused the civic body of interference in religious matters, which would hurt sentiments as the temple was 100 years old.

In response to a notice by Indore Municipal Corporation in April 2022, Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Trust had undertaken to remove the slab constructed over the well, but it did not abide by the undertaking.

Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore. Spoke to CM Shivraj Chouhan Ji and took an update on the situation. The state government is spearheading rescue and relief work at a quick pace. My prayers with all those affected and their families."

Among the deceased were Lakshmi Patel (70), Bharti Kukreja (58), Jaivanti Khhobchandani (84), Daksha Patel (60), Madhu Bhammani (48), Manisha Motwani (40), Ganga Patel (58), Kanak Patel (32), Pushpa Patel (49), Bhumika Khanchandani (31) and Indra Kumar Harwani (53).

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each would be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured will be given Rs 50,000 each.

PM Modi has announced an ex-gratia from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for Indore mishap victims.

"An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate tragedy in Indore today. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," tweeted The Prime Minister's office.