A three-storey building that was under construction in the heart of Kochi city collapsed on Thursday night, affecting metro services in the area.
The property which lay between Kaloor and Lissie metro station was owned by Pothys and was supposed to house a garment store. It was reportedly undergoing piling work when it collapsed between two metro pillars at around 9 in the night. However, no casualties have been reported as the workers had left the site following a drizzle, according to a Manorama report.
Metro services in the area, which is an elevated corridor, were suspended with KMRL officials stating that services will only be available between Aluva and Palarivattom on Friday.
The building collapse has lead to a deep crack on the road and traffic between Kaloor and Kacherippady have been diverted to prevent the crack from worsening, a report in The Hindu stated. Shops and other establishments working in the area were also instructed to remain shut for the day.
As a precautionary measure, occupants from the neighbouring Gokulam Park Hotel and another commerical building were evacuated as the buildings reportedly developed a slant with the impact of the collapse.
A KWA pipeline also burst due to the impact of the collapse, spraying jets of water in the stretch. Following this, the authorities were instructed to stop pumping water in the area, according to The Hindu report.
Experts are at work on the stretch and metro services are expected to resume on Saturday, after an assessment of the tracks are constructed.