HighLights
  1. Under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar.
  2. Two confirmed dead, several others feared trapped under debris.
  3. MCD has suspended assistant engineer, junior engineer over Chawri Bazaar building collapse.

At least two people were killed and four injured, while several others are feared trapped under the debris, after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazaar on Thursday. At least six fire units, including water tenders and rescue vehicles, have been rushed to the spot, with senior officers supervising the rescue operation. 

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered an inquiry into the collapse and directed the registration of an FIR against the contractor. MCD has suspended assistant engineer, junior engineer over Chawri Bazaar building collapse. An MCD official said the building was under construction, but work had been halted around 15 days ago. Workers were in the process of removing the support system beneath the roof when the structure collapsed. 

"The material used was non-engineered and had not set properly, which eventually led to the collapse," the official said.

Visuals show NDRF personnel carrying out search and rescue operations at the spot where a portion of the under-construction building collapsed in Delhi's Chawri Bazaar area. The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained as per Delhi Police.

The incident was reported around 9:50 am from Gali Sitara, near the Chawri Bazaar Metro station. According to ANI, after the portion of a building under construction collapsed, a site closure has been called by the authorities. The fire department has dispatched six fire tenders to the scene. More details awaited.

Eyewitness Mohd Nayeem said the incident happened around 9:00-9:30 am. "We were asleep when we heard a crashing sound. We all got up and rushed outside. We thought our own house was collapsing. When we checked, we realised it was the house being built next door. Three or four lintels had already been cast, and they all collapsed at once. One of the injured labourers said there were about three or four people there. We saw a body being taken out. This building had been under construction for the last 3-4 months...".

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A DFS official said at least 15 people are feared trapped and several have been injured. "We received a call at 9:50 am. Teams from NDMC, Delhi Police, DFS and MCD are involved in the rescue operation."

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Orders Probe, Suspensions

In a post on X, CM Rekha wrote, "Visited Chawri Bazar to review ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Spoke to officials and rescue teams at the site and directed all agencies to work in close coordination, ensure prompt medical care for the injured and extend necessary assistance to those affected.

My thoughts are with the affected families. We stand firmly with them and will extend every possible support."

She has ordered the suspension of area AE, JE and ordered FIR against the contractor.

AAP Takes Jibe At CM Rekha Gupta

Reacting to the building collapse, Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj attacked the Rekha Gupta government and raised questions over building safety audits and alleged corruption in enforcement by civic and other government departments in Delhi.

In a post on X, Bharadwaj wrote, “Another 3-storey building collapses at Chawri Bazaar/Chandni Chowk. Many feared trapped under debris. Rekha Gupta’s government and MCD conducted multiple safety audits of all buildings in Delhi, yet buildings keep collapsing. Why?" he said.

He further accused the different departments associated of corruption and alleged that those who refuse to pay bribes get sealed by MCD.

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"Safety audits have been ordered repeatedly, but instead of real action, multiple departments collected bribes many times, which is why buildings collapse every month. Earlier, only @DelhiPolice and @MCD_Delhi took bribes; after Rekha Gupta’s government, the Fire Department and SDMs (Revenue Department under her) also started collecting bribes from buildings. Those who refuse to pay bribes get sealed by MCD," he alleged.

"This explains the pick-and-choose enforcement, shocking that two gyms in GK2 market were sealed in a ward while other gyms and commercial buildings stay open in same south zone," he added.

'No Building Plan Sanctioned'

A senior MCD official said the plot on which the building collapsed measured 50 square metres. No building plan had been sanctioned for the structure, and the civic body had received no complaints regarding the construction, reported PTI.

Locals recounted hearing a loud crash as the three-storey building collapsed.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the building, located in the Hauz Qazi area, had been constructed up to the third floor and collapsed while the lantern (roof slab) was being constructed.

"Three people have been rescued from there, out of which two were declared dead in hospital," he said.

 


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