Who Is Shambhunath Behera? Contractor Under Scrutiny After Kolkata Taratala Warehouse Collapse

A shed collapse at an under-construction tea warehouse in Kolkata’s Taratala area on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, has put the spotlight on site safety, approval checks and the role of contractor Shambhunath Behera. At least three workers died after a large section of the structure came down during work near Brace Bridge, while rescue teams pulled out several others from the debris.

The accident took place around midday at a construction site on Transport Depot Road, where workers were reportedly engaged in roof-related work on a multi-storey warehouse structure. Heavy iron beams, tin roofing sheets and concrete sections fell on labourers working below. Around 50 to 60 workers were said to be present at the site when the shed gave way.

Rescue operations were launched by Kolkata Police, fire services, civil defence personnel, the National Disaster Response Force, local administration teams and other agencies. Officials used hydraulic cranes, gas cutters, drilling equipment and drones to locate trapped workers and remove heavy debris. A state control room was also opened at Nabanna to monitor the response.

Who is Shambhunath Behera in the Taratala collapse case?

Shambhunath Behera has emerged as a key name in the Taratala tragedy because he is reported to be linked to the warehouse construction as a contractor, site in-charge or lease-associated party. Early accounts from the site suggest that he had been connected with the project for several months, though investigators are yet to formally establish his exact legal and operational role.

The warehouse was being developed on land associated with a closed tea-related industrial unit. The plot is understood to be under the Kolkata port authority’s ownership framework and had reportedly been leased for warehouse construction. Political leaders and local residents have alleged that the project continued despite visible safety concerns, but these claims remain subject to official verification.

BJP MLA Rakesh Singh has accused Behera and the project handlers of ignoring basic construction safety norms. The allegations include inadequate shoring, poor structural checks, use of substandard material and failure to stop work despite signs of instability. These are serious charges, but the final responsibility will depend on police findings, technical inspection and approval records.

Some reports also suggested that Behera himself may have been trapped in the debris after the collapse. Authorities have not issued a conclusive public account on this claim. For investigators, the immediate questions will include who supervised the day’s work, who approved the structural plan, whether engineers were present, and whether workers were given protective gear.

What officials have said so far

According to the information shared from the ground, the collapse happened at about 12.07 pm and rescue operations began within the next hour. Officials said 21 people had been rescued in the initial phase. Three of them were confirmed dead, while several injured workers were taken to hospital, including SSKM Hospital, for treatment.

Senior political leaders and ministers reached the site as rescue efforts continued. The administration said the first priority was to save those still trapped and stabilise the damaged structure so that rescuers could work safely. Officials also indicated that any conclusion on criminal liability would follow technical assessment and inquiry into permissions, construction quality and supervision.

One statement attributed to the state leadership said the project plan had been approved on January 17, 2026. It also said the land was owned by the port authority and that Behera and his partner were linked to the lease. The statement further suggested that the initial approval process itself may have involved a faulty plan.

That detail is important because construction accidents are rarely caused by one failure alone. Investigators usually examine design, materials, soil condition, load management, weather exposure, temporary support systems, labour deployment and inspection history. If roof casting or heavy loading was underway without adequate support, the risk of a sudden collapse would have increased significantly.

How the Taratala warehouse shed may have collapsed

Preliminary accounts from the site point to a combination of possible factors. The structure was reportedly being worked on after heavy rain in Kolkata a day earlier. Rainwater can weaken temporary supports, soften ground conditions and add unexpected weight to unfinished surfaces. However, weather alone cannot explain such incidents unless safety margins are already poor.

Workers and residents claimed that the structure had shown signs of shaking before the accident. If true, that would raise questions about why work continued and whether supervisors noticed warning signs. On construction sites, even minor movement in a temporary frame should trigger immediate evacuation and technical inspection, especially when concrete, steel and roofing sections are being handled.

The use of vertical drilling machines, cranes and gas cutters during rescue also shows the complexity of the collapse. Rescuers had to remove metal beams and concrete without causing secondary movement. Such operations are slow because trapped workers may be alive beneath unstable debris, and careless lifting can worsen injuries or trigger another fall.

Why Kolkata’s construction safety record is under scrutiny

The Taratala collapse has revived concern over building safety in Kolkata and other dense urban centres. In March 2024, a building collapse in Garden Reach killed several people and triggered questions about illegal construction and weak enforcement. The 2016 Vivekananda flyover collapse also remains one of the city’s most serious infrastructure disasters.

These incidents show why approvals on paper are not enough. Construction safety depends on daily supervision, certified engineers, proper scaffolding, load calculations and worker protection. If contractors cut costs on shoring, curing, steel quality or temporary support, the danger is first borne by daily-wage labourers who have little power to refuse unsafe work.

Many workers at such sites come from economically weaker households in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. They often work long shifts with limited safety equipment and little formal training. After accidents, compensation and criminal cases may follow, but families lose earners instantly. That is why enforcement before a collapse matters more than inquiries afterwards.

The investigation into the Taratala tragedy is expected to focus on Behera’s role, the lease arrangement, the approved building plan, material quality and whether work was carried out under qualified technical supervision. Until official findings are released, allegations against individuals and companies remain claims. The immediate priority remains rescue, treatment of the injured and a transparent probe into every approval and safety lapse.