Though permission was given for a two-storey building, the owner illegally extended it to five. | Photo Credit: Sampath Kumar G.P. more-in A five-storey building in the narrow bylanes of Ejipura tilted dangerously on Wednesday morning. Constructed illegally on a small 800m site, the pillars of the newly-constricted building buckled in the rains. The fire forces received a call around 5 a.m., and evacuated those from the buildings nearby. According to local Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) engineers, permission was given for a two-storey building, including a ground floor. However, the owner of the building — who is currently absconding — illegal extended this and as a result, the ground floor pillar developed cracks. Residents say the building was completed just a week ago and Ramesh, the owner, was waiting for an auspicious date for the house-warming ceremony, after which the rooms were to be let out on rent. Among those evacuated were families living in a small house constructed by Mohammad Wajihah. “The rent from this is our main source of income. The building is tilting and resting on our house. If it collapses, we will lose our house and livelihood,” he said. The congested bylanes of the area host numerous such illegal buildings of five-storeys or more. Chandrasekar, IGP, Fire Force, said a small team will be on stand-by in the case of eventualities. “The building is around 21m and we have asked the BBMP to demolish it,” he said, adding that a report will be filed on the illegalities of high-rises (above 15m, which need a No Objection Certificate from the fire department) in the area. Vivek Nagar Police have registered a case against the owner and the contractor.

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