NOIDA: Shuttering installed on the seventh floor of an under-construction tower at Ithum Heights in Sector 62 collapsed during strong winds on Thursday afternoon, damaging 14 cars parked at a neighbouring company’s premises.No injuries were reported in the incident, and police have initiated an investigation.The shuttering and other construction material fell into the parking area of Graph City India Pvt Ltd, located adjacent to the Ithum Heights complex.Several vehicles parked in the area were damaged after the material landed directly on them. The incident triggered panic among people in the vicinity, though no one was hurt.According to police, construction work is underway at Ithum Heights, located in Sector 62 under the jurisdiction of Sector 58 police station.On Thursday afternoon, strong winds swept through the area, causing the shuttering installed on the seventh floor of the under-construction building to fall into the neighbouring company’s parking lot.The impact damaged 14 cars parked in the lot. The extent of the damage to individual vehicles was not immediately known.The incident could have resulted in a major accident had workers or other people been present beneath the falling material.However, according to the information available, workers had moved downstairs before the shuttering collapsed, averting a potentially serious mishap.The sudden collapse also raised concerns about the safety arrangements at the construction site, particularly the stability of shuttering during adverse weather conditions.Shuttering is a temporary structure used to support freshly poured concrete until it gains sufficient strength.Police personnel from Sector 58 police station reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. They inspected the site and began necessary action to ascertain the circumstances that led to the collapse.Preliminary information suggested that strong winds were responsible for the incident.However, further investigation would be required to establish whether the shuttering had been adequately secured and whether the construction site had followed the necessary safety precautions.No casualties or injuries were reported till the time of filing this report.Further details about the investigation and the assessment of damage to the vehicles were awaited.
