The RTI petition, filed with the state public information officer, sought details like the number of applications submitted for obtaining sanction plans between January 1, 2010 and March 18, 2024, and how many of them were sanctioned and rejected.

“This business of illegal construction has turned into a social menace, which we have failed to contain. But I am trying. There are a few other buildings in the area which have been identified as illegal. We will take steps against them,” Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim told reporters.

“An under-construction five-storeyed building collapsed around midnight. Two persons were killed and at least seven people were injured,” said city mayor Firhad Hakim. Police and disaster management teams swiftly evacuated 13 people, while the search is on for survivors who may be trapped under the rubble.