The elevator of the 19-storey Suleman Tower in Memonwada, collapsed yesterday morning; residents allege builder has done little for maintenance
Two children were among the six injured when the elevator of Suleman Tower, a 19-storey building in Memonwada, collapsed on Tuesday morning.
Residents claim that this is not the first time there has been a problem with the elevator, and their builder has done little in the name of maintenance. Pic/Tushar Satam
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The children suffered major injuries to their legs in the accident and were hospitalised till the time of going to press. Residents alleged that this is not the first time there has been a problem with the elevator, and that their builder has done little in the name of maintenance.
Collapse
At 7 am on Tuesday morning, 7 people, including four adults, two children, and the liftman were inside the elevator when it collapsed. After people boarded the elevator on the 16th floor, it did not halt on any floor after the 10th and came crashing to the ground floor.
Injured
Both children, Anwar Malik (14) and Hanzla Shaikh (9) suffered injuries to their legs. Hanzla’s knee has been dislodged and he is being treated at Harkishandas Hospital, while Anwar is receiving treatment at Nair Hospital.
“My brother was on his way to school when this incident happened. Both his ankles are badly injured. The doctors have taken an X-ray and are treating him further,” said Kali Malik, Anwar’s sister. P L Tiwari, the liftman, who injured his ankle said, “The elevator was supposed to halt on the 8th floor but it did not. There was utter chaos… I could only tend to myself after the incident.”
Constant breakdowns
The building does not have a co-operative housing society and residents complain that the elevator keeps breaking down almost every week.
“One of the two elevators is always dysfunctional. The builder has not formed a housing society and continues to take rent and charge us for maintenance. What maintenance is he doing?” said a resident, on the condition of anonymity.
According to residents, every time the elevator is stuck on a floor, the attendant or a resident has to wrench open its doors. Also, six to eight people travel in the elevator when only four are allowed. Residents also said that there is a certificate from the Public Works Department hanging inside the elevator.
Tall climb
In the absence of an elevator, residents were faced with the mammoth task of climbing the stairs up to the 19th floor. Many chose to stay at their relative’s houses. Even maids, cooks and other helpers could not come into the building.
“Both my children will stay at their aunt’s place tonight. They can’t climb all these stairs,” said a resident of the 16th floor. Another resident said her children did not go to school after the incident. The builder, Aslam Qureshi, who is also resides in the building, could not be reached for comment.
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