Queen's corner cave-in: Police await BBMP Report for action against builder

BENGALURU: The Citrus Hotel on Cunningham Road has become home to several families that fled the Queen's Corner apartment following fears that the ground beneath was caving in.
As many as 32 families from this upmarket apartment vacated on Monday after excavation by a builder -Legacy Group -in the neighbouring plot loosened the earth and led to the collapse of a compound wall, a tree and left a crack on the ground. The Legacy Group, on Tuesday , assured to bear the cost of alternative accommodation for all the residents of Queen's Corner's C-Block at the hotel, until repairs are carried out, also at its expense.

“The strengthening of the compound wall is underway and we are waiting for structural engineers to certify that the place is fit for occupation," said Lal Mirpuri, president of the Girivihar Cooperative Housing Society at Queen's Corner apartment.

The Cubbon Park police, meanwhile, booked the Legacy Group under Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code (endangering life or personal safety of others). “We are waiting for a report from the BBMP and the BWSSB before taking further action," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sandeep Patil said.

Independent experts who visited the apartment assured residents that there was no apparent danger to the C-Block, near which the earth caved in. “A lot of care needs to be taken when you are excavating beyond 30 feet. The builder now has to ensure that the quality of soil is good enough to excavate further," said Ramamurthy V , an engineer.

Sources, meanwhile, revealed that the Legacy Group has put the project on hold to make changes in the floor plans.