News Desk : In the aftermath of the deadly warehouse collapse in Kolkata's Taratala that claimed four lives, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari today alleged that the structure was part of an illegal construction approved during the previous TMC regime. He announced a series of measures, including a halt on construction activities across Kolkata and a comprehensive audit of ongoing projects.

Addressing a press conference after visiting the accident site, Adhikari said preliminary findings indicate serious irregularities in the approval process of the under-construction warehouse. He claimed that the building plan, sanctioned by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation on January 17, 2026, appeared to have major flaws and would be thoroughly investigated. The Chief Minister announced that all construction projects in Kolkata would remain suspended until July 31.

He also directed authorities to conduct a special audit of sanctioned building plans and carry out physical inspections of ongoing construction sites across the city to identify potential safety violations. Rescue teams from the Army, NDRF, police and disaster management department continue operations at the site. The Chief Minister further alleged that unchecked and illegal construction activities were allowed under the previous Trinamool Congress administration, contributing to safety concerns.

As rescue efforts continue in Taratala, the tragedy has sparked a political storm over construction safety and regulatory oversight. The state government's decision to suspend construction activities and launch a citywide audit signals a major crackdown on alleged irregularities in the sector.