Cracked pillar sparks panic, 25 families evacuated from SA apartment

Lucknow: Panic gripped residents of SA Apartment in Wazirganj area on Monday morning after a pillar in the five-storey building developed cracks, prompting authorities to evacuate all 25 families living there as a precautionary measure.The incident was reported around 10:30 am when several residents said they felt a sudden jolt and noticed structural movement inside the building. Many initially mistook the vibration for an earthquake, but soon discovered that a pillar had cracked. Although the structure remained standing, the visible damage triggered alarm and residents rushed outside.Police, along with teams from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), reached the site and carried out an evacuation. The area around the apartment was barricaded and movement in the vicinity was restricted to prevent any mishap while officials assessed the risk.Mohammed Israr, a resident, said his wife narrowly escaped injury when the pillar cracked as she was standing on a balcony. He alleged that residents had been flagging concerns about the building’s condition for the past six to seven months but no effective action was taken by those responsible for maintenance. “I bought this flat for around Rs 17 lakh. My entire savings are invested in it,” he said.Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) officials said the damaged pillar was located on the ground floor of SA Apartment built on plot number 179/30C in the Baroodkhana locality of Wazirganj.LDA secretary Sushil Pratap Singh, additional secretary Gyanendra Verma and zonal officer Prabhakar Singh visited the site and supervised operations with the district administration and police.Preliminary records reviewed by LDA indicate that landowner Shahabuddin applied for a building plan on May 25, 2009, and the map was sanctioned on Aug 12, 2009, under permit number 26520. After the evacuation, LDA’s Enforcement Zone-6 sealed the building as a safety measure while rescue and safety work continued.During an inspection, officials also began examining records related to construction and structural stability. Initial scrutiny raised questions over whether floors had been added beyond what was originally approved. “The map was initially sanctioned for a three-storey building in the name of Shahabuddin. We are now being told by the owner that two additional floors were constructed after compounding, but no supporting records have been produced so far,” said Prabhakar Singh.District magistrate Vishak G said the building was evacuated immediately after information was received and that teams were continuously monitoring the structure. He added that accommodation would be arranged at a night shelter for residents who had nowhere else to stay.Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, who visited the spot, said the incident raised serious questions about construction quality and possible violations.Three years after Alaya disaster, another building raises alarmMore than three years after the collapse of Alaya Apartment on Wazir Hasan Road, structural concerns have surfaced at SA Apartment in Lucknow. The 2023 Alaya tragedy claimed three lives and injured 14 people. An inquiry had revealed that LDA declared the building illegal in 2010 and ordered its demolition, but the order was never enforced, raising questions over regulatory oversight.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.