An illegally-constructed two-storey building in front of Yeshwant Technical Institute at Tapkir Nagar near Dehu Phata in Alandi collapsed around 8 am on Wednesday. The fire brigade rescued a labourer who was trapped in the debris and no casualties have been reported. The Alandi Municipal Council has started a survey of illegal buildings under jurisdiction

The Pune police have arrested building owner Vijay Murlidhar Tapkir (38) of Tapkir Nagar and Tukaram Manikrao Joshi (42) of Moshi for allegedly constructing the building without taking permission from the council. Council chief Pandit Wanjiri said the illegal building collapsed as the construction was faulty. “The construction of the building has been going on for the past six years. Most of the construction is complete. Only one labourer was working at the building when it collapsed owing to the load of water tank constructed on the second floor.” Fire brigade sub officer Sampat Gaud said the labourer, identified as Pinto Sharma, was fitting the window glasses when the building crashed. “There was nobody inside it except Sharma when it collapsed. We got the information around 8.30 am. Sharma was removed from the debris using a crane. He received minor injuries.”

The council has already started a survey of illegal constructions in its limit. “The task been assigned to a Kothrud-based firm that will prepare a detailed report with videos and photographs of the illegal buildings. “Once the report is available, we would either demolish the illegal constructions or lodge criminal cases against the owners and contractors,” Wanjiri said.

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