Delhi Building Collapse Claims Six Lives, Owner Sought
A multi-storey building, operating as a boys' paying guest (PG) accommodation, tragically collapsed in south-west Delhi's Satya Niketan area on Sunday, claiming the lives of six individuals and injuring 11 others. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM during ongoing repair and renovation work, prompting an extensive rescue operation.
Authorities have registered an First Information Report (FIR) at the South Campus police station against the building's owner, Hariram Bansal of Gurugram, and others. Charges include culpable homicide, negligence in upkeep of a structure, and endangering safety. Police teams have been formed and are actively working to trace Bansal and others allegedly connected with the incident.
Extensive Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue efforts continued through the night following the collapse. Multiple agencies, including the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), were engaged in the challenging operation. Two NDRF teams, comprising 70 personnel and a canine squad, were deployed to search for survivors.
Officials confirmed that one more person was rescued during the night but was brought out deceased, raising the death toll to six. Oxygen cylinders were dropped into the rubble to aid any trapped individuals. Heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR since Friday complicated rescue efforts, with locals suggesting that water accumulation in the basement over days of rain might have weakened the building's foundation.
Illegal Construction and Negligence Under Scrutiny
The FIR against Hariram Bansal and others comes amid allegations that construction work in the basement contributed to the building's failure. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and ensure accountability.
In response to the tragedy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) immediately sealed an adjoining building that housed a women's PG accommodation. Furthermore, the MCD has ordered the sealing of all illegal constructions exceeding four floors across the city, indicating a broader crackdown on unauthorized building practices. The collapsed five-storey structure, estimated to be 30 to 50 years old, was reportedly built over just 55 square yards in a resettlement colony, where permission typically allows only a ground-plus-one unit.
Satya Niketan, a bustling area near Delhi University's South Campus, is known for its numerous student PGs, hostels, and eateries, often characterized by narrow, congested bylanes. Residents have voiced significant concerns regarding the structural integrity and maintenance of many other buildings in the locality, where numerous houses have been converted into multi-storey PG accommodations, sometimes reaching five or six floors.
Officials Vow Strict Action
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi stated that stringent action would be taken against any officials found responsible for allowing such illegal structures to operate. He emphasized that guilty officials would face severe consequences, including immediate dismissal, and confirmed that the order to seal illegal constructions exceeding four floors would be implemented without delay.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the collapse site and later met with doctors at AIIMS Trauma Centre to assess the condition of those rescued. She reiterated the government's commitment to taking strict action against those responsible, assuring that no one would be spared. The government is also in contact with the families of the injured, providing necessary support during this difficult time.
Community Concerns in Satya Niketan
The incident has brought to light widespread concerns among local residents about the safety of other buildings in Satya Niketan. Many students residing in the area's PGs are from states like Kerala, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, attending colleges such as Motilal Nehru College, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College, and Sri Venkateswara College. The community hopes for swift action to prevent future tragedies.