DHARWAD: Flouting structural engineering norms, including the use of poor quality construction material, seems to be the main reason for the collapse of multi-storey commercial complex in Dharwad on Tuesday.Fire department officials involved in rescue operations said the rubble at the site indicates that structural norms were flouted. “We also found that the quality of cement and reinforced iron bars were of poor quality. Usually, columns and beams of buildings are usually thick,’’ they added.A senior HDMC engineer said the building may have collapsed because of poor design, bad quality material and excessive loading on foundation soil and columns. “The building was constructed too close to another building and this led to excessive pressure on the soil. The adjacent excavation aggravated the problem but this can be ascertained only after complete removal of debris,’’ he said.“Only after detailed verification of structural and architectural drawings and geo-technical report, the cause of the collapse can be ascertained,’’ Dharwad deputy commissioner Deepa Cholan said after inspecting the site.Based on area and road width, a local BJP MLA said building permission cannot be given to multi-storied building except for those with ground plus two floors. But the building owner, father-in-law of former Congress minister Vinay Kulkarni, constructed an additional floor on pillars which cannot take the load of additional floors.Some local residents complained that the owner dug the earth by using large a number of JCBs which led to weakening of the soil.A senior official in Bengaluru, who is monitoring rescue operation, said the state government will conduct an inquiry into the collapse. “Our priority is to rescue quickly those trapped under the rubble. Once rescue work is over, the government will conduct a probe to ascertain factors for the collapse. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he added.HDMC commissioner Shakeel Ahmed said HDMC had granted permission for construction of ground plus three floors. “The alleged construction of an additional floor will be looked into and action taken against the engineer and building owner for any violation,” he said.

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