CM inspects sunken building
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 26 2016: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, on Sunday, inspected the multi-storeyed shopping complex at Thoubal Wangmataba which is reported to be sinking towards the Thoubal river since June 24 .

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal, T Ranjit; PWD Superintendent Engineer N Subhas; Thoubal Municipal Council Chairperson Th Shyamo and other officials.

Speaking to media persons, after the inspection, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said the engineers cannot be blamed for the sinking.

At the left of the building a large cavity was filled near the retaining wall of the river to build a community hall.

Heavy vehicles were used for the construction without the knowledge of engineers.

Eventually, the grounds, along with portions of the retaining wall and Thoubal Municipal Office building sank.

This could have been one factor that may have caused the unlikely tilt of the building, the CM stated adding that he saw no technical fault in the construction of the building.

"If there was any defect in the construction of the building, it would have collapsed," he said.

The accompanying engineers suggested that the damages could be repaired by casting two bored piles each with retaining options against the existing pillars for support, he said.

The Chief Minister also apologised for the damages.

It may be mentioned that the sunken portions were levelled out using red earth yesterday night.

What the Chief Minister saw today was the partly repaired structure, this correspondent reports.

The Chief Minister also inspected the Dolaithabi Barrage Project at Pukhao, Imphal East, today.

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