Century-old Business Complex Collapses Partially, Poses Threat
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Jul 26: A portion of almost a century-old business complex located in Bavanthi Street near Car Street here collapsed on Monday July 25 at around 10 pm. The structure is now posing a threat as it may collapse completely any time.

The building belongs to the late Madhava Hegde who was an ex-bill collector in city corporation. He had written a letter (dated August 5, 1999) addressed to the then commissioner of MCC appealing him to give permission for the demolition of the building as it was in a dilapidated condition.

However, the matter was not taken seriously and the building remained in its rickety condition for another 12 years after the appeal was made. On July 25 night, a portion of the building lodging a dairy run by one Rathnakar Puthran collapsed.

Luckily, there were no injuries or casualties, as no one was around at the time of the incident. If it had happened during the day, several people might have been injured, said Rathnakar speaking to Daijiworld.
 
Though the people in the vicinity called the MCC officers and the local corporator Surekha Shrinivas to come to the spot, none of them turned up till 11 am on Tuesday July 26. The loss is estimated at Rs 2 lac.
 
There are three more shops functioning under the same building, and all are under threat. People in the area sought immediate action from the authorities concerned.