Crash survivors become homeless

The tenants of the ill-fated building at Bowenpally, which was damaged when the naval aircraft crashed into it on Wednesday, were lucky to have survived, but they have not been so lucky when it comes to finding alternative accommodation in less than a day.
Occupants of all the eight flats were asked by the aviation and cantonment authorities to immediately vacate the premises till such time as the building is declared unsafe.
“No one can shift house just like that. Even bachelors who have less luggage will find it difficult to find rented accommodation in less than a day. For families it is much more difficult,” said Mr Ch. Bhattacharya, a tenant of the building.
He is an engineer and works with the Shell Group.
He and his co-tenant, Mr Ranjan Kumar, who works for Pfeiffer, searched the Bowenpally area for a suitable flat but in vain.
The two were allowed to store their luggage in one room in a building in the neighbourhood but have to find somewhere to spend the night.
Mr Sankara Rao Reesu, a tenant on the second floor and the last one to vacate the building, spent Wednesday night on the phone consulting rental agents, brokers and friends.
Loading his family and all their baggage into a truck, he said he was shifting to a house he has not seen.
“I do not have a choice. I was told over the phone that there was a house and I am going there now,” he said.
Mr Ramesh Kumar, owner of the building, who lived with his family on the ground floor, has shifted to his brother’s house nearby. “How can the civil aviation authorities and the state government allow air shows over residential localities?” he asks.
“I request the government, SCB, civil aviation or defence authorities to compensate me for the damage to my building. What is my fault?” Incidentally, the building itself does not adhere to all norms.
The top two floors, including the pent house, are unauthorised. Permission was not taken from SCB for construction of the top floor and the pent house.