On 28 June 2014, an eleven-storey apartment block collapsed while under construction at Moulivakkam in the suburb of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
The cause was determined to be a lightning strike to exposed metal at the top, which was conducted through the building and to ground via reinforcement bars embedded in the concrete, which led to failure of support columns and subsequent collapse of the structure.
Justice R. Regupathy Commission that inquired into the circumstances led to the collapse of the multi-storeyed building at Moulivakkam in which 55 persons were killed and many injured, has made series of recommendations including a comprehensive legislation for making insurance package compulsory for builders.
The commission has made a strong case for constituting a special squad to check primarily all mega projects taking place in and around the City limits so that recurrence of any bad incidents could be immediately stopped.
The commission has also recommended constitution of a committee so that the loss caused to the individuals who booked the flats and the injury and damage incurred by neighbouring residents.