Madras HC directs Tamil Nadu govt to repair old buildings, two days after 8 died in Nagapattinam collapse

Chennai: Two days after the collapse of a portion of a building housing a state-run bus depot killed eight staffers, the Madras High Court on Monday directed authorities to inspect old government buildings in Tamil Nadu and carry out repair. The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, took up the matter when advocate George William made an urgent mention of the incident at Porayar in Nagapattinam district. The bench ordered issuance of notice to the state transport department and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), returnable in four weeks. [caption id=“attachment_4169529” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Madras High Court. News18[/caption] The authorities were directed to immediately inspect old structures and carry out necessary repair works. They were also asked to ensure adequate treatment and compensation to the victims of the incident and their families. On 20 October, a portion of an over six-decade-old building of the TNSTC in Nagapattinam district had collapsed, killing eight crew members. The TNSTC employees were sleeping in the building, which was constructed in 1952, when it collapsed around 3.30 am, killing them on the spot, police officials had said. Three persons were injured and they were rushed to the Karaikal General Hospital.