Gachibowli building collapse: two workers killed as unauthorized structure crashes into nearby apartments

A seven-storey building under construction in Anjaiahnagar, Gachibowli, collapsed on Saturday afternoon, killing two workers and causing extensive damage to a neighbouring apartment building. The deceased were identified as 34-year-old Umesh Kare and 42-year-old Mopath.

The unauthorised G+6 structure was being built on a 50-square-yard plot beside a nala, an open storm-water drain. It collapsed at around 1 p.m., sending large amounts of debris onto the adjoining Jaya Darshini Apartments and trapping people underneath.

Fire and rescue teams arrived at the scene with specialised equipment, including a victim location camera, to search through the rubble. The bodies of the two workers were recovered.

Cyberabad Municipal Commissioner G Srijana said authorities had received a complaint about the building, after which construction was stopped and the structure was seized. Work later resumed without approval from the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, reportedly three to four days before the collapse. The building had been served notice over unauthorised construction 66 days before it came down.

The collapse damaged three bedrooms in the neighbouring Jaya Darshini Apartments and left several residents injured. Among those hurt was Ramana Reddy, a retired Army serviceman, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Resident Uma Mahesh said a pregnant domestic worker was inside the apartment when the structure came down, and that he helped her out of the building immediately.

Another resident described the collapse as so sudden and violent that people initially thought an earthquake had occurred. A thick cloud of dust filled the area as residents realised what had happened.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over unauthorised construction and the enforcement of building regulations in the area. Officials noted that the toll could have been far higher had the collapse occurred in the evening, when more residents would have been at home.

Madhapur Assistant Commissioner of Police Ch Sreedhar said a case had been registered against the builder, identified as Sajid, under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The builder is absconding.

AV Ranganath, Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), visited the site and reviewed the rescue and relief operations. He said several buildings in Anjaiahnagar appeared to lack mandatory setbacks and other required provisions, and that structures built in violation of regulations would not be permitted to continue.

Ranganath announced that HYDRAA would conduct a special inspection drive in Anjaiahnagar in coordination with the municipal authorities. He also inspected nearby buildings, particularly those allegedly constructed without proper permission, as well as the damaged Jaya Darshini Apartments.

Authorities assured residents that the debris would be removed promptly and that the structural stability of the damaged apartment building would be assessed and certified. Residents were advised not to enter or occupy the affected portion of the building until the safety inspection was complete.