Patna: Panic spread in the Srikrishnapuri area of Boring Road after cracks appeared in several buildings, including the premises housing the well-known Harilal Pratishthan. The damage is being linked to alleged unauthorised and unsafe construction activity by a private builder.
The Patna Municipal Corporation has lodged a case against three individuals, including builder Faizan Ali Server, for violating construction norms. According to officials, excavation work at the site compromised the structural integrity of adjacent buildings, prompting immediate intervention by the district administration.
Police from Srikrishnapuri station were deployed to the site, and vehicular movement in the area has been diverted as a precaution. Authorities say Harilal’s building, which appears most affected, is at risk of collapse. Debris falling onto the road poses a serious hazard to commuters and residents.
“Police are monitoring the area, and action is being taken based on a complaint received from the Municipal Corporation,” said the local station house officer. “We’ve also received complaints from residents, which are under review.”
The construction in question had reportedly been underway for three to four months. However, residents claim that significant cracks began appearing in the last few days.
Landowner Denies Responsibility
The plot owner, BK Singh, denied any negligence, stating that he had installed 20-foot-thick and 80-foot-deep protective pillars around the excavation site to prevent damage to nearby structures.
“Only one old building has been affected, and not due to my construction,” Singh told reporters. “They had a leaking basement, and despite being warned, they did not fix it. That caused the foundation to weaken.”
Singh added that the pit was now being refilled. “A JCB machine worth Rs 1 crore got damaged during the process. We’ve already used sand worth crores to ensure safety,” he said.
District officials remain on-site, and residents continue to express concerns about their safety as authorities work to assess the extent of the damage and determine accountability.
