Mumbai: 

Kerala CM  V S Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V S  Achuthanandan had a lucky escape yesterday when a portion of the bedroom ceiling in his century-old official residence came crashing down.

As soon as the word spread of the ceiling collapse, senior public works officials rushed to the Cliff House the official residence of the chief minister.

State Public Works Department Minister Mons Joseph told reporters the repair work will begin today.

"I have been told that the work for re-plastering of the ceiling would be over in a week's time," said Joseph.

According to sources, Achuthanandan was in the room when the incident occurred.

The official residence was built a century back by the British. The last time a major maintenance had taken place was soon after A K Antony resigned as chief minister in May 2004.