Greater Noida Residents in Fear After Two Buildings Collapse

Many residents have already moved out of the area and many plan to vacate soon.

(Photo: Amanjeet Singh & Sravya M G)

Cameraperson: Amanjeet Singh & Sravya M G
Video Producers: Amanjeet Singh & Sravya M G
Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui

On Tuesday night, between 8:30 pm and 9 pm, Anshul Rathod, a resident of Village Shahberi, Greater Noida was taking a stroll when there was a loud sound. “We thought it was an earthquake. Suddenly everything was covered in dust,” recalls Rathod.

Two buildings had collapsed on the night of 17 July, trapping at least 50 people under the rubble. Nine bodies have been removed from under the debris so far, one of which was the body of a 14-month-old girl. Five persons, including the builder Ganga Prasad Dwivedi have been taken into custody by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

On Thursday, The Quint visited the location and spoke to the outraged residents of the area who continue to live in fear.

Residents spoke for The Quint’s My Report, raising their voices and questioning the authorities.

Our building is also made by the same builder. I live in the same area. We are very scared. Such incidents can happen with us too.

Shobha Pawar, Resident

Residents also questioned the rescue mission.

No JCB digs so deep under the foundation. Tunnels are made. Rubble is removed from the top to save people who are stuck under the foundation. This is the first ever rescue operation where they are digging so deep. You cannot get a man alive through this method.

Sandeep Arora, Resident, Civil Engineer

Residents complained that the two structures were made of sub-standard building material and blamed the catastrophe on weak enforcement of regulations and rampant construction in the area.

The incident took place when an under-construction building collapsed on a four-storey building in which a family of four, including a one-year-old girl, had shifted recently.

Many residents have already moved out of the area and many plan to vacate soon.

I am moving out of this locality. I will not live here anymore. For the last two days, no one has slept in my house.

Anshul Rathod, Resident