‘Not builder’s fault’: Gujarat minister on slab collapse in Gandhinagar that injured workers

Gujarat's Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Kanti Amrutiya, visited GMERS Hospital in Gandhinagar on Thursday to meet workers injured in a slab collapse at an under‑construction commercial building in the Kudasan area. He told reporters that the collapse was caused by a failure in the supporting system rather than any fault of the builder, emphasizing that the accident was not due to a machine malfunction.

The collapse occurred on the night of Tuesday, September 9, when a large metal slab gave way, trapping workers on site. Fifteen laborers were rescued; twelve required hospital treatment, including four in serious condition and two with major injuries, while three with minor injuries had already been discharged. The project, known as Boski – The Empire, is led by developer Nilesh Modi and his partners. High‑level officials who inspected the site after the incident included Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Director General of Police G S Malik, Gandhinagar South MLA Alpesh Thakor and Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut.

Amrutiya, a six‑time MLA from Morbi and a BJP representative, said his department would ensure the workers receive medical care and financial support for their families. He added that legal action would be considered only if the builder were found at fault, and that the Road & Building Department would conduct a technical investigation. The minister’s remarks come amid broader concerns about construction safety standards in Gujarat, and he reiterated the government's commitment to protect laborers while holding developers accountable where appropriate.