Barely five years after it was made operational, the auditorium of Government Boys Degree College Anantnag collapsed on Friday.
An official said the truss of the building caved in last night causing extensive damage.
“In addition to the roof, assets including chairs, desks, trollies, racks, electronic and digital equipment were damaged,” he said.
The official said the initial reports suggest the losses to the tune of Rs 2 crores.
“There was not much snow over the roof. So it needs to be ascertained how it collapsed,” he said.
The construction of the building was taken up way back in 2005 by the Roads and Buildings department. The project was completed in the year 2012 at the cost of Rs 7 crore.
The auditorium was however made operational only in December 2015.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Kuldeep Krishan Sidha visited the spot.
“We are ascertaining the technicalities. Inquiry will be initiated and whosoever is found involved would be taken to task,” the DC told media persons.
He said he will be writing to the executing agency of the project (R&B department), stating that the incident was a “major loss to the public exchequer.”
Executive Engineer R&B Qazi Javed Amin told the Greater Kashmir that they were ascertaining the reason why the roof collapsed.
Principal Degree College Anantnag Dr Fayaz Ahmad said the auditorium was an asset for the entire district and its loss was painful.
The District Magistrate Anantnag later ordered an enquiry into the incident.
As per an order, a team of officers headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sheikh Ghulam Hassan, with Exens R&B and PMGSY Anantnag and Representative of Principal GDC (Boys) Anantnag as the other members has been constituted.
The team has been directed to make an on-spot visit to arrive at the facts on ground, refer to records and seek expert assistance if the need arises. The team has been asked to submit a detailed enquiry report within 15 days for further course of action.