Chief Minister Orders Suspension After Hospital Wall Collapse Kills Seven

In the aftermath of a tragic wall collapse at Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hospital that claimed seven lives, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken decisive action by instructing the suspension of the executive engineer involved. He issued a notice while presiding over a meeting with GBA commissioners to discuss the incident and the recent heavy rains responsible for the calamity.

The Chief Minister, addressing the devastation caused by the rains and the loss of life, questioned officials as to why soil was added during construction despite evident risks to the integrity of the hospital wall. He reproached the hospital management for negligence in safeguarding against such damage and emphasized the urgency of closing potholes across Bengaluru.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the victims' families and mandated free medical treatment for the injured. With more inclement weather expected, he directed commissioners across Bengaluru's five zones to implement preventative measures, including clearing debris, cutting hazardous tree branches, and ensuring stormwater is effectively managed.

(With inputs from agencies.)