Anupgarh: On Sunday, September 1st, 2024, an incident occurred that could have turned disastrous at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) located in the Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti building. The roof of the bank, which has been in operation at this site for 35 years, collapsed due to its poor condition. Thankfully, since it was a Sunday, no employees or customers were present, and a major accident was avoided.
What Happened?
The collapse took place around 9 AM in the room that houses the bank’s loan branch. This area is usually bustling with activity during the week, with three to four employees working there and many customers visiting for loan services. However, on this particular Sunday, the room was empty.
The trouble began when a member of the cleaning staff arrived to address a technical issue with the bank’s power supply. Upon opening the main door, he was shocked to find that the ceiling had fallen in, burying computers and important documents under the rubble. The employee quickly reported the situation to the bank officials.
Upon receiving the alert, bank officials and local police rushed to the scene to assess the damage. Arvind Kumar, the Chief Manager of the main branch of PNB, confirmed that the roof of the 10×10 room had collapsed, which could have been catastrophic had anyone been inside. Fortunately, the empty space meant that no one was injured.
Kumar mentioned that the roof collapse not only destroyed equipment but also buried important bank records. He assured that the bank is currently evaluating the extent of the damage and what steps need to be taken next.
In light of the incident, it was revealed that bank officials had previously raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the building during meetings with the Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti. However, Mahipal Gehlot, the Secretary of the Samiti, stated that they had not received any formal notifications regarding the building’s structural issues. Now, following the roof collapse, efforts are underway to prepare an estimate for repairs.
Moving Forward
As the dust settles, it’s crucial for both the bank and the Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti to address the building’s safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure to ensure the safety of employees and customers alike.
This close call highlights the need for regular inspections and timely repairs to prevent such unfortunate events in the future. Let’s hope that with prompt action, the bank can recover and continue serving the community safely for many more years to come.
