Cuttack, Nov 9: A tragic incident unfolded in Cuttack when the balcony of an old apartment near Mani Sahu Chhak, close to Hadi Bandhu School, collapsed, claiming the lives of three members of a family—a father, son, and grandson.

The victims were identified as Abdul Mujahid, Abdul Zahid, and Abdul Jalil.

The incident has triggered widespread concern over the safety of aging and dilapidated buildings in the city.

Following the tragedy, the administration has formed a high-level committee to investigate the collapse and assess the structural integrity of similar buildings across Cuttack.

In August, the administration had informed the High Court about 221 unsafe buildings in the city and issued notices for evacuation under legal provisions. However, it remains unclear whether Shubham Complex was among the identified structures.

The apartment reportedly lacked basic safety measures, with overgrown vegetation on walls, broken sections, and no active security personnel or residents’ association.

Also read: Three Killed As Portion Of Old Apartment Collapses In Cuttack, CM Announces Compensation

Taking action, Additional Commissioner of CMC stated that the committee will identify unsafe buildings and initiate phased demolition.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the families of the deceased. He also assured that the injured are receiving the best possible medical care.

The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for urgent action to prevent further loss of life due to neglected infrastructure in urban areas.