Police go to Court against hazardous unfinished Krrish Tower

Tuesday, 12 November 2024 02:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Fort Police have requested the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court to issue summons to the Board of Directors of the unfinished Krrish Tower, citing growing concerns over public safety.

This request follows a series of accidents involving debris and metal pieces from the Tower falling to the ground below, with one incident causing significant damage to a parked car.

The police presented their concerns to Colombo Fort Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, referencing Section 98 of the Penal Code. They said that the building has become a serious safety hazard, posing a risk to the public.

In addition to falling debris, previous complaints have also been raised about the site’s abandoned machinery, which could be dislodged by strong winds, and the accumulation of water in various parts of the construction site, which has led to a serious mosquito breeding problem.

The site is now considered a potential hotspot for dengue transmission.

Fort Police reported that on 6 October this year, a metal part of the building fell onto a car parked nearby. They noted that a second incident occurred on 8 October, when another metal piece fell, but no pedestrians or vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Highlighting the potential danger posed by the site, the Fort Police made a detailed presentation to the Court, urging that appropriate legal measures be taken. The Magistrate, after considering the Police’s request, ordered that the relevant evidence be presented on 13 November when the case will be taken up next.

The $ 650 million mixed development project was initiated during the second term of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and in 2012, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) granted a 99-year lease for a 3.7 acre plot of land in the heart of Colombo’s commercial district to the Krrish project, for a sum of Rs. 5 billion. Originally, the project was scheduled to be completed in 2016 and was to consist of two five star hotels, two apartment blocks, and two office complexes. However, the project has been mired in controversy and has remained unfinished after investors failed to meet the deadline.