KOZHIKODE: Protests have escalated following the tragic collapse of a building owned by the Kozhikode Corporation, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Mayor O. Sadasivan defended the corporation’s actions during a news conference on Monday morning, where he explained that the building, located in Valiyangadi, had been flagged for rebuilding back in 2022, along with 15 other old structures. He emphasized that tenants were not evicted due to the significant number of traders operating from these sites.
Sadasivan has requested a detailed structural evaluation of all corporation properties and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation with government assistance. To support the victims’ families, he announced financial aid of ₹1 lakh for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
In response to inquiries regarding previous warnings from the engineering department about the building’s structural integrity in 2024, Sadasivan stated that no formal report declared the building unsafe, which permitted current tenants to continue their activities without new leases being issued.
Following the incident, the corporation has taken steps to clear out the shops in the affected building after a technical inspection revealed it was in a dilapidated condition. Notice was served to shop owners to vacate the premises.
Protests persisted on Tuesday, with members of the BJP marching to the corporation office while IUML also participated in demonstrations. The situation led to the closure of shops in Valiyangadi, affecting approximately 1,000 workers, many of whom attended funerals. Furthermore, over 100 trucks carrying goods from various states were left idle in the area.
K. Byjunath, a member of the state human rights commission, visited the accident site and has ordered immediate inspections and renovations of all old and structurally unsafe government-owned buildings to avert future disasters. He has instructed the corporation secretary and the collector to provide a report on the incident within a week.
