Sohana building collapse: 45 notices sent to owners of illegal buildings in last two months, says MC

MC Commissioner T Benith told The Indian Express that the notices were issued to the owners who have constructed illegal buildings and now the administration is awaiting replies following which further action like disconnecting the power and water connections and eventually sealing of buildings will start.

“In case of violations, we take the action in three steps, first we issue the notices, then disconnect the power and water connections, and lastly we seal the buildings,” the commissioner said.

In the past few years, many villages which had come within the jurisdiction of Mohali saw an unprecedented growth of illegal buildings. Most of these buildings operate as paying guest accommodations.

On December 21, the multi-storey building collapsed, killing two persons. One of the victims was staying at a PG accommodation, which was on the top floor of the building, while a gym was being run from the first floor and the basement. The cause of the collapse was stated to be the illegal digging of an adjoining plot.

After the incident, a probe was launched to identify the illegal buildings which were constructed without getting permission from the concerned authorities.