Hastily built without a proper foundation merely a week before the temple's annual Chandanotsavam

The report reveals that gross negligence by temple authorities, engineering staff, officials from the Tourism Department, and the contractor was directly responsible for the incident. 

metro india news  I hyderabad

The three-member fact-finding committee appointed by the Andhra Pradesh government to investigate the tragic wall collapse at Simhachalam temple — which claimed seven lives — has submitted its preliminary report to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The committee, headed by senior official Suresh Kumar, personally handed over the report to the Chief Minister on Monday.

The report reveals that gross negligence by temple authorities, engineering staff, officials from the Tourism Department, and the contractor was directly responsible for the incident. The wall, which collapsed on April 30, was hastily built without a proper foundation or structural integrity, the committee found.

According to the committee’s findings, the wall was constructed merely a week before the temple's annual Chandanotsavam, one of the largest religious events in the region, drawing thousands of devotees. Though the construction was sanctioned under the Union government’s PRASAD scheme, the committee noted that it was built in a rushed manner, with no engineering design, structural plan, or foundational base.

Critically, the wall lacked weep holes — small drainage passages at the base meant to release accumulated rainwater and reduce pressure buildup. When heavy rains lashed the region, water and mud collected behind the wall, causing an intense pressure buildup that led to the sudden collapse, the report concluded.

Moreover, no safety inspections or strength assessments were carried out by the concerned authorities before allowing public access near the structure, the committee observed. The absence of basic precautionary measures, especially during a massive public event, constituted a severe lapse in duty, the report said.

The committee confirmed that it had recorded statements from several eyewitnesses, including the Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner. Based on collected evidence and testimonies, it recommended that disciplinary and legal action be taken against the Executive Officer (EO) of the Simhachalam Devasthanam, engineering staff, officials from the State Tourism Department, and the contractor who executed the construction.

“The committee holds them collectively responsible for dereliction of duty and failure to ensure public safety. Strict action must be taken without delay,” the report stated. On April 30, thousands of devotees had gathered at Simhachalam Temple to witness the Nijaroopa Darshanam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. As people queued near the perimeter wall, it suddenly collapsed, crushing seven devotees to death and injuring many others.