A building of the Chayipankuzhi Government UP School building in Kodassery grama panchayat in Thrissur, Keralam.
Sree Krishna Jayanti holiday averted a potential tragedy on Friday (September 4, 2026) when a portion of the Chayipankuzhi Government UP School building in Kodassery grama panchayat in Thrissur, Keralam, collapsed allegedly in the impact of the ongoing construction of the Hill Highway.
First, a wall near the school collapsed at a spot where excavation was being carried out for the Hill Highway project. Soon, a portion of the school building and the open stage also came crashing down.
The collapse is believed to have been triggered by extensive excavation carried out close to the school building as part of the highway construction. A large pit had reportedly been dug adjacent to the structure, weakening the ground around its foundation.
The affected classrooms have not been used since the highway work began, amid concerns over the safety of the building. The campus was deserted on Friday due to the holiday.
“A major disaster was averted due to the holiday,” local residents said.
A school bus parked in front of the building was damaged in the incident.
The damaged structure was constructed in 2002 using the local area development fund of former MLA Savithri Lakshmanan. Classes are currently being conducted close to the collapsed portion, raising fresh concerns about the safety of students and staff.
The incident has once again thrown the spotlight on the safety precautions being taken around educational institutions during major infrastructure works, with the collapse narrowly avoiding what could have been a devastating accident.
Published – September 04, 2026 05:41 pm IST
