Anuppur Lodge Collapse: Third Body Found, Rs 9 Lakh Compensation

Three dead as three-storey building caves in near Kotma bus stand; rescue teams from Bhilai and Varanasi join operation.

The death toll in the Anuppur lodge collapse rose to three on Sunday morning as rescue personnel pulled out a woman’s body from the debris. The three-storey building in Kotma bus stand area had caved in on Saturday evening. Officials confirmed two earlier fatalities – Hanuman Deen Yadav (55) and Ram Kripal Yadav (40) – while three persons sustained injuries. The woman’s identity remains unknown.

Rescue Operations Continue

More than 100 personnel from NDRF, SDRF and local teams have been clearing the rubble for nearly 19 hours. Special rescue units from Bhilai and Varanasi reached the site on Sunday to assist. According to officials, the operation will continue until all debris is removed and any remaining trapped persons are accounted for.

Cause Under Investigation

Eyewitnesses said the building tilted towards an adjacent pit before collapsing. Preliminary findings indicate that a 12-feet-deep pit dug for construction work nearby had filled with water, possibly weakening the lodge’s foundation. A senior district official said a structural audit will be conducted once rescue work ends.

Case Registered Against Owners

Anuppur Superintendent of Police Motiur Rahman confirmed that a case has been filed at Kotma police station under BNS sections 290 and 106. The accused are land owner Rajeev Garg and lodge owner Lallu Lal Agrawal. Police said negligence in construction safety and failure to maintain the building’s stability are the primary grounds for the case.

Compensation Announced

Collector Harshal Pancholi announced on Sunday that the state government will provide Rs 9 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Injured persons will receive Rs 2.5 lakh each. “The compensation will be disbursed immediately after verification of documents,” the collector said, adding that medical expenses of the injured will also be borne by the administration.

Former MLA Raises Concerns

Former Kotma MLA Sunil Saraf expressed alarm over the incident, stating that several other buildings in the area face similar risks. “This is not an isolated case. Many structures here have been weakened by nearby excavation. The administration must take strict action to prevent a repeat,” he told reporters.

Market Shut for Safety

Local markets near the bus stand remained closed on Sunday due to the ongoing rescue and barricading. Residents pointed out that the casualty count could have been much higher had the market been open on Saturday. The lodge was undergoing repairs at the time, which kept footfall low, according to shopkeepers.

Search Teams Face Challenges

A 41-member NDRF team from Varanasi along with Bhilai’s rescue unit has been using dog squads and heavy machinery. However, the depth of the debris and the water-filled pit are hampering progress. “The dogs are returning repeatedly because of the unstable ground. We are removing debris in layers,” a rescue official said. CCTV footage of the collapse is being reviewed to trace any other missing persons.

Officials have assured that a full inquiry into the building’s permissions and structural safety will follow. Meanwhile, rescue teams remain on high alert as hopes fade of finding more survivors under the concrete and mud. The district administration has urged the public to avoid the area and report any similar unsafe structures immediately.