An under-construction 18-storey apartment complex on Haralur Main Road near Kudlu Gate in southeast Bengaluru is set for demolition after the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) confirmed that a significant portion of the structure had tilted, posing serious risks to structural integrity and public safety. With nearly 900 residential buildings in the surrounding area, authorities are proceeding with caution as preparatory work advances ahead of a demolition expected to begin next week.

What Went Wrong

According to preliminary findings, approximately 20 per cent of the building has tilted to one side. The structure, developed by SNN Raj Corp, contains 49 apartments and is alleged to have been constructed in an unscientific manner. Engineers observed a noticeable lean in the building, raising fears of a potential structural failure if corrective action was not taken promptly.

The project, estimated to have attracted an investment of around ₹200 crore, has been under construction for the past year. Officials describe this as the first time an 18-storey structure in Bengaluru is being brought down on safety grounds — reportedly making it the tallest residential building in the city to face demolition proceedings.

GBA and RERA Involvement

The developers themselves approached the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), seeking permission to demolish the affected structure to avert any future tragedy. Following consultations with technical experts and regulatory authorities, the GBA approved the demolition plan.

GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao on Thursday convened a meeting with Bengaluru South City Corporation officials after the private builder formally applied for demolition permission. Preparatory work is currently underway.

Investigation into Construction Lapses

Officials are expected to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the root cause of the structural defect and establish whether there were violations of construction norms or lapses in engineering and quality control during execution. This comes amid growing scrutiny of construction practices in Bengaluru's rapidly expanding real estate sector.

Notably, the incident has intensified questions about regulatory oversight, particularly given that the building reached 18 storeys before the tilt was detected. Critics argue that more rigorous stage-by-stage structural audits could have flagged the problem at a far earlier — and safer — point in construction.

Impact on the Neighbourhood

The proximity of nearly 900 residential buildings to the site has made the demolition operation especially sensitive. Authorities are taking precautions to ensure that the controlled demolition does not endanger nearby residents or property. No evacuation orders for surrounding buildings have been publicly announced as yet, though officials are closely monitoring the situation.

The demolition is expected to proceed next week, pending completion of preparatory groundwork. The outcome of the investigation into construction norms violations will likely determine whether regulatory or legal action follows against the developer.