The injured included a 25‑year‑old resident of Jayadarsini Residency, adjacent to the collapsed building, who was asleep when debris fell on him.
The injured workers were shifted to a hospital for treatment and their condition was stable.
The collapse damaged balconies and portions of Jayadarsini Residency and another seven‑storey illegal building nearby.
The incident highlighted the stark contrast between Anjaiahnagar, a congested slum with rampant illegal constructions, and neighbouring Whitefields, a planned layout with gated communities.
Several illegal structures in Anjaiahnagar share compound walls with Whitefields apartments, exposing the nexus between encroachers and municipal officials.
HYDERABAD: Two workers died and three others, including a resident of a neighbouring apartment, were injured when a seven‑storey under‑construction building collapsed like a pack of cards in Anjaiahnagar, Gachibowli, on Saturday afternoon. The structure was being built on a 50‑sq yd plot over a nala.
The victims were identified as Umesh Khare and Mopath of Madhya Pradesh, tile workers at the site. The injured included a 25‑year‑old resident of Jayadarsini Residency, adjacent to the collapsed building, who was asleep when debris fell on him. He was rushed to hospital.
Police registered a case against building owner Syed Sajid and contractor Khaja Moinuddin. HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganatj said Sajid reportedly owned similar illegal multi‑storey buildings in the area, constructed on 50–60 sq yd plots and leased as hostels for students and IT employees. Raidurgam sub-inspector Ramaswamy said that the bodies of two workers were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for postmortem, and their families were informed. The injured workers were shifted to a hospital for treatment and their condition was stable.
The collapse damaged balconies and portions of Jayadarsini Residency and another seven‑storey illegal building nearby. Civic officials said the weak foundation and the nala beneath the site caused the collapse. The second building, also illegal, will be razed.
Residents said they heard a blast‑like sound and rushed out for safety. Many vacated their flats after officials prioritised evacuation of affected blocks. “Casualties would have been multiple if the incident had occurred at night,” said K. Ramakanth of Anjaiahnagar.
The incident highlighted the stark contrast between Anjaiahnagar, a congested slum with rampant illegal constructions, and neighbouring Whitefields, a planned layout with gated communities. Several illegal structures in Anjaiahnagar share compound walls with Whitefields apartments, exposing the nexus between encroachers and municipal officials.
Rescue teams from HYDRAA, NDRF, SDRF, CMC, police and fire services reached the site with equipment. Victim‑location systems were deployed to detect trapped persons. Congested lanes forced operations to be conducted from Whitefields, with vehicles and equipment parked at Jayadarsini Residency.
HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath assured residents that debris would be cleared and structural integrity assessed before re‑occupation. He said HYDRAA and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation would jointly demolish buildings constructed in violation of rules and urged residents of such structures to vacate them.
Cyberabad municipal commissioner G. Srijana said notices had been issued to the builder four months ago and the building sealed, but construction resumed illegally. Regional fire officer Sudhakar Rao said residents could re‑enter affected buildings only after stability assessments on August 23.
