look news india
A very painful and sensational case has come to light from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, which has exposed the state government and administrative system. The work of demolishing an old and dilapidated water tank was going on just behind the Kotwali police station in the District School campus of Ranchi, during which it suddenly collapsed and fell down. In this terrible accident, two poor laborers died tragically after being buried under the debris, which created a stir in the entire area. But after this entire incident, when the attention of the media and local people fell on the official ‘Emergency Contact Board’ installed at the spot, such a scene of negligence of the government machinery was seen that everyone was shocked to see it. On that board installed for the laborers who were risking their lives, only the first 4 digits of the mobile numbers were written and the remaining digits were marked with a cross, due to which the question arose that in such a situation, how would a laborer or a common citizen contact for help during an emergency?
An accident occurred during the demolition of a dilapidated water tank and two laborers lost their lives.
According to the information received, the old water tank in the district school campus located in a busy area of Ranchi was to be demolished and a new structure was to be constructed in its place. The safety standards and guidelines that should have been followed to carry out this dangerous work were completely disregarded. The concerned agency had already been given a strict warning by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, but due to the negligence of the contractor and the concerned officials, this accident happened on Wednesday evening. When the heavy structure of the tank suddenly fell down, the workers working there were buried under the debris. In this accident, two laborers, Satya Bhuiyan and Maithali Sharan Mahato, residents of Palamu district, died on the spot, while their families were left with a mountain of grief.
The emergency board became just a show, officers’ numbers were marked with crosses.
When the site was investigated after the accident, the information board hanging there attracted everyone’s attention, which is mandatorily installed at any big construction site for safety and emergency help. On that board, the contact numbers of the Executive Engineer, Site Engineer, Contractor’s representative and even the local police station were incompletely recorded. Surprisingly, only the first four digits of all the mobile numbers were written and the remaining digits were marked with a cross. Only the number ‘108’ for ambulance was seen written in full on the board. Seeing such an incomplete and ridiculous Emergency Board, it became clear that the administration makes tall claims of security on paper, but the reality on the ground is completely opposite.
Big questions are being raised on ignoring safety standards and administrative negligence.
After this tragic accident, sharp questions are being raised by the general public and various political parties on the working style of the Jharkhand government and the district administration. The question arises that when such a risky task of demolishing a dilapidated and dangerous structure was going on, why were no adequate security arrangements made there? Was the administration waiting for some major accident? If the workers or any other person working on the spot had to immediately seek help from an official, who would they contact with the help of these incomplete numbers? Such a poor system proves that after the paper instructions, there is no one to monitor it on the ground, the consequences of which ultimately the poor and innocent laborers have to pay with their lives.
Demand for investigation committee of district administration and action against the culprits
Considering the seriousness of the incident, a special investigation committee has been formed at the district administration and Deputy Commissioner (DC) level, which is trying to find out who was responsible for ignoring the safety rules. Local people and family members of the workers have demanded that strictest legal action should be taken against the officials and contractors found guilty of this negligence so that such painful incidents are not repeated in future. However, this accident is not just a case of death of two laborers, but it is a big slap on the system which puts human lives at stake in the name of development and construction.