West Bengal Minister Announces Audit of New Construction Sites Following Fatal Collapse

In response to a devastating warehouse collapse in Kolkata that claimed eight lives, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul has declared an audit of all new construction sites under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. This decision follows the tragic incident in the Taratala area, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce compensation for the victims' families. Additionally, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the collapse, and a Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the matter further. Minister Dilip Ghosh has hinted at possible political connections to the incident, promising a thorough investigation into corruption. Read on for more details about the government's actions and the ongoing investigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 25, 2026, 13:27 IST

Audit of New Construction Sites in Kolkata

On Thursday, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul announced that all new construction sites under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will undergo an audit. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident in the Taratala area, where the collapse of an under-construction warehouse shed resulted in the deaths of eight individuals. Speaking to the media, Paul stated that following directives from the Chief Minister, an audit will be conducted on all new construction sites within KMC jurisdiction. A meeting is scheduled today to establish the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for these audits. Those involved in the previous government will not be spared, and strict action will be taken against them. Notices have already been issued to all illegal buildings, and rectifying the situation created by the previous administration's approval of such constructions will be challenging.

Compensation for Victims of the Collapse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of the eight victims who lost their lives in the Taratala warehouse collapse. According to the Prime Minister's Office, those injured in the incident will receive ₹50,000 from the central government. The tragic event occurred on Wednesday near the Bress Bridge in Kolkata, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies. As per Kolkata police reports, the death toll has risen to eight, with 20 others injured.

Arrests Made in Connection with the Incident

In connection with the building collapse, three individuals have been arrested, including building supervisor Syed Mohammad Gulzar and two labor suppliers, Mohammad Ataul and Subhash Chaudhary. Following this, the West Bengal government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Joysourya Mukherjee to investigate the matter. West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh has alleged that the incident may involve "big political names." He stated to reporters, "Corruption will be investigated, and those responsible will face consequences. Our government has already initiated this process; no one will be spared. It’s not just about four individuals; there may be other significant political figures involved. Everything will come to light."