UditVani, Jamshedpur : Lakshmi Mansion, a dilapidated building near the Bistupur traffic signal, has once again raised serious concerns about public safety.
The decades-old structure, currently housing the city office of Srinath University, witnessed two alarming incidents on Tuesday that narrowly avoided turning into a tragedy.
The first mishap occurred shortly after the office opened in the morning, when the ceiling of the Chancellor’s chamber suddenly collapsed with a loud crash. The debris, including false ceiling material, fell dangerously close—just about a meter away—from where staff members were seated and working.
The situation worsened within an hour when the balcony of the waiting area also came crashing down. Fortunately, no parents or visitors were present at the time, preventing what could have been a major accident.
The Lakshmi Mansion building, constructed in 1936, was officially declared “condemned” on July 6, 2021, by the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) and the building construction department. Despite this official declaration and visible structural deterioration, the premises continue to operate, with no significant action taken by the administration.
Heavy rainfall has further weakened the building, causing water seepage at multiple points, and buckets have been placed throughout the office to collect dripping water.
Though no injuries were reported in Tuesday’s incidents, they have once again highlighted the urgent need for intervention. Without swift and decisive action, experts warn, it is only a matter of time before a catastrophic event occurs.
