Gone in 3 seconds: Building demolished using implosive technique

Chennai: A loud implosion and a thick blanket of black smoke are what remained of the twin tower of Prime Trust Heights in Moulivakkam, which was demolished at 6.52 pm on Wednesday.

About 70 kg of explosives, including RDX and ammonium nitrate, were planted in the basement and all the floors of the building. It was demolished using a remote control device. Explosives were planted after drilling holes in the pillars and they were inter-connected using wires.

The demolition that had been scheduled for 4 pm was later postponed to 5 pm and was not carried out even by 6 pm, making the crowds that had assembled on terraces and rooftops restless.

Eleven ambulances, two fire engines, and two animal ambulances lined the main street along with numerous police vehicles and barricades. Over 500 policemen were deployed and also towing vehicles for two and four-wheelers.

While terraces of some of the houses beyond 100 metres from the building were taken up by families to witness the building falling to dust, some were taken up by journalists and photographers to get the perfect shots. Sporadic rain was no deterrent.

“I have an umbrella, cooling glasses, binoculars, water bottle, and I am all set to take a selfie when the building comes down,” said Ananth, a class 10 student.
 His extended family had assembled on the rooftop to witness the falling of the structure that stood as a reminder of gory deaths more than two years ago.

Residents in the 100-meter radius of the building were waiting for the power to be restored and to return to their homes after the demolition was carried out.
A little after dusk, the gigantic building was brought down in a little over three seconds.

Pon Lingam, Chief Executive Officer of Maglink Infra Project Ltd, which bagged the contract to demolish the building, said on Tuesday the building would be brought down in less than 10 seconds. “The reason the demolition took longer to begin was the inclement weather. The contractor wanted more time to test and see that the rain doesn’t play spoilsport,” Kanchipuram collector, R Gajalakshmi said after the demolition.