Construction comes to a standstill at nearly 700 Kolkata projects after Taratala warehouse tragedy kills 15

The move came as the death toll from the warehouse collapse in Kolkata's Taratala rose to 15 on Friday, while rescue teams continued searching for people feared trapped beneath the debris.

The suspension has affected hundreds of ongoing residential and commercial projects, prompting concerns across the real estate sector over mounting financial losses, project delays and the livelihoods of thousands of daily wage workers.

Govt orders citywide construction halt

Construction activity remained suspended across nearly 700 sites on Thursday after authorities issued stop-work notices following the Taratala warehouse collapse.

The order has significantly impacted Kolkata's organised real estate sector, with developers expressing hope that the government would review the decision after completing safety assessments.

Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari meets workers injured in Taratala warehouse disaster at SSKM hospital, Kolkata. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Industry representatives estimated that the construction shutdown could result in daily losses of between Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore if the suspension continues.

A leading developer, whose company has multiple projects underway in Kolkata, said organised real estate developments operate under stringent engineering supervision.

"The organised real estate projects are executed under the strict supervision of qualified engineers, adhere to sanctioned plans, and maintain rigid quality controls," the developer said.

"Unfortunate site mishaps are historically isolated to unauthorised structures or unorganised local builders operating outside the formal development industry," he added. "The government should focus on the latter on a priority basis."

Several developers also said they were prepared to cooperate fully with the government-appointed committee auditing under-construction projects.

"We are ready to submit documents to the committee set up to audit under-construction projects. We only hope the panel vets the papers and allows constructions to resume next week," another developer said.

Building surveyors seek review of suspension

The Licensed Building Surveyors Association has written to the Chief Minister requesting a review of the stop-work order.

Association president Animesh Guria warned that several projects within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area had reached critical stages, including excavation, piling, raft foundation, pile cap and basement construction.

According to the association, leaving partially completed foundations exposed during the monsoon could create serious structural risks.

"There is a likelihood of excavation failure, foundation instability, collapse of unsupported earth sections, damage to adjoining buildings, roads," Guria said.

Family members of a labourer killed in Taratala disaster break down at SSKM hospital, Kolkata. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Developers warn of delays, labour shortages

Developers said the construction suspension could further delay project completion, which has already been affected by supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, labour shortages during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and election-related disruptions.

One developer said the industry had earlier sought a six-month extension of project deadlines from the West Bengal Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

"If the work closure continues for five weeks, we have to seek more time," the developer said.

Labour contractors estimated that between 25,000 and 30,000 daily wage workers employed at construction sites would face immediate financial hardship as work remains suspended.

"The vast majority of our construction workforce consists of daily wage labourers. A sudden stoppage of work will deal an immediate financial blow to these underprivileged families," a labour contractor said.

Developers also expressed concern that prolonged inactivity could prompt skilled workers to leave Kolkata for their home states or seek employment elsewhere, making it difficult to restart projects once restrictions are lifted.

Taratala death toll reaches 15

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued for a third consecutive day at the collapsed warehouse in Taratala as the death toll rose to 15.

Officials said two bodies were recovered from the debris late on Thursday, while two injured workers later died at the state-run SSKM Hospital.

A worker, injured in Taratala tragedy, rushed to SSKM hospital, Kolkata. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Nineteen-year-old Mannu Kumar, a resident of Bihar's Munger district, succumbed to his injuries early on Friday after undergoing surgery.

His brother, Ghi Kumar, had died in the collapse, while their father continues to receive treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.

Officials said 18 injured workers remain admitted to SSKM Hospital.

Search for survivors continues

Authorities believe several workers may still be trapped beneath the collapsed warehouse.

"Our immediate priority is to rescue every possible survivor and ensure the best medical care for the injured. Teams are working without interruption despite the extremely challenging conditions inside the collapsed structure," an official said.

Rescue personnel said operations would continue until every section of the debris had been thoroughly searched.

"The rescue team personnel are proceeding with utmost caution because the damaged structure remains unstable. We are coordinating with all agencies," another official said.

Teams from Kolkata Police, the Army, the State Disaster Management Group and other emergency agencies have been working continuously since Wednesday.

Indian Army personnel cut through twisted iron beams and remove massive concrete slabs in an effort to reach those still trapped. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Rescuers are cutting through twisted iron beams and removing massive concrete slabs in an effort to reach those still trapped.

Officials have also deployed specialised cameras beneath the rubble to detect survivors, while mobile phone tower data is being analysed to identify the locations of individuals whose phones remain active under the debris.

Railways join rescue mission

The Indian Railways joined the rescue operation on Friday after the National Disaster Response Force requested technical assistance to cut and remove heavily twisted steel structures.

Railway personnel equipped with oxy-cutting machines began operations after inspecting the site on Thursday.

The warehouse roof on Transport Depot Road in Taratala collapsed on Wednesday afternoon while workers were inside the under-construction building, trapping dozens beneath the concrete and steel framework.

Search for survivors continues at Taratala disaster site. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

A senior Kolkata Police official told IBNS that no "properly maintained" labour register was found at the site.

"We have no idea about the exact number of workers present at the site at the time of the disaster, as we found no properly maintained register, and the chief contractor of the project, Asgar Hussain, was one of the deceased," the officer said.

Rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue efforts to locate those still missing beneath the collapsed structure.