Tirupati suspends two planning officers after fatal crane collapse

The Tirupati Municipal Corporation has suspended two town planning officers following a crane accident that killed three people and injured three others on DBR Hospital Road, The Hindu reported. The crane toppled into an excavated pit at a construction site on September 29. A preliminary inquiry by Municipal Corporation Commissioner M.

Jayakrishna found that the officers had been negligent in supervising work under their authority. The inquiry also found that the builder had failed to comply with setback requirements and had excavated earth beyond the earmarked portion. The corporation said this finding was the main reason for suspending the officials.

Those killed were identified as Rama Rao, 45, from Odisha; site engineer Sandeep Kumar, 40, from Srikakulam; and watchman Gangaiah, 40. They died at the scene, according to the report. Crane operators Shaik Farhan and Naushad, both from Bihar, and worker Murugaiah from Yerpedu were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

The crane had been deployed to excavate earth from the pit when it tilted and capsized. Mr. Jayakrishna previously said the contractor had the required building permission and that a criminal negligence case would be registered against the builder.

He has now said a fair and transparent investigation will be conducted with senior officials to establish the actual causes of the accident. The strength of the neighbouring Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Municipal Corporation High School building will also be checked, he said.