The Karnataka government has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all hospital buildings and compound walls across the state following a fatal wall collapse in Bengaluru that claimed seven lives, the ANI reported.
Officials have been directed to submit a detailed report after assessing structural safety in all government medical facilities.
Seven people were killed after the collapse of a compound wall at the Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hospital in Shivajinagar on Wednesday. The incident occurred following heavy rainfall in the city.
The hospital was earlier known as Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, according to the ANI.
Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil visited the site and reviewed the situation with officials and medical staff.
He said an expert committee has been formed to inspect hospital buildings and compound walls, including Victoria Hospital and other major facilities in Bengaluru.
Inquiry and safety measures
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the cause of the collapse. Officials will also examine the condition of old and structurally weak buildings across Karnataka.
Patil said the government is committed to ensuring such incidents do not recur and that corrective action will follow the investigation report, as per the ANI.
Compensation announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of those killed.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said the heavy rain in Bengaluru was unexpected, noting that the city usually receives its first major showers in late April or early May.
He added that civic authorities were carrying out regular maintenance work, including clearing drainage and addressing flood-prone areas.
Demand for Probe
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident, citing concerns over infrastructure safety and administrative lapses.
Meanwhile, a meeting of municipal commissioners of the five corporations, chaired by the chief minister and attended by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, focused on fixing accountability and examining lapses that led to the tragedy, reported the PTI.
A statement from the chief minister`s office said that the CM ordered the immediate suspension of the executive engineer of the Karnataka Health Systems Development Project (KHSDP), the news agency reported.
He also questioned the hospital authorities, asking why they failed to monitor the dumping of soil that weakened the structure.
The chief minister directed that a notice be issued to the head of the hospital, as per the PTI.
(with ANI and PTI inputs)