Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured after a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in the congested Chawri Bazar area of Old Delhi on Thursday morning. The incident took place in Gali Sitara, Sheesh Mahal, opposite Chawri Bazar Metro Station, triggering an emergency rescue operation involving the Delhi Fire Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
According to preliminary information, two labourers were removing the shuttering on the ground floor when the building suddenly came crashing down. The workers reportedly had little time to react as the structure collapsed within moments, turning the construction site into a heap of debris.Delhi Police confirmed that two people had died in the incident, while one injured person was rescued.
The possibility of more people being trapped under the rubble was initially suspected, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation.Six Fire Tenders, NDRF Deployed for Rescue OperationThe Delhi Fire Services received information about the building collapse at around 9:50 am. Fire personnel rushed to the spot, and additional fire tenders and senior officials were subsequently deployed after reports emerged that several people could be trapped under the debris.
A total of six fire tenders were pressed into service, while an NDRF team was also deployed to assist in the rescue operation.The narrow lanes of Chawri Bazar posed an additional challenge for emergency responders, as the densely packed buildings and limited access make rescue operations particularly difficult in this part of Old Delhi.Shuttering Removal Raises Questions About Construction SafetyPreliminary accounts suggest that the collapse occurred while shuttering was being removed on the ground floor.
Shuttering is a temporary supporting structure used during construction to hold concrete in place until it becomes sufficiently strong.The circumstances under which the shuttering was being removed, whether the prescribed safety procedures were followed and whether the building had adequate structural support will need to be examined during the investigation.
The incident has once again brought the issue of construction safety in Old Delhi into focus, particularly in areas where buildings stand close to one another and construction or structural alterations can pose risks to workers as well as neighbouring residents.Construction Activity During Pollution Restrictions Under ScrutinyThe incident has also raised questions about construction activity at a time when restrictions on construction work have been imposed in Delhi due to worsening air pollution.
It needs to be established whether construction activity at the site was permitted, whether the building owner had obtained the necessary approvals and whether the work was being carried out in compliance with applicable safety and regulatory norms.There are also local claims that construction-related work was being undertaken during the Diwali holiday period, when movement and public scrutiny in the area may have been relatively lower. These claims, however, require independent verification.
MCD’s Building Department Faces QuestionsThe collapse has once again put the spotlight on the monitoring mechanism of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), particularly its building department.Several questions now need answers: Was the construction legally authorised? Had the building undergone a structural safety assessment? Were officials aware of the ongoing work? Were safety arrangements in place while the shuttering was being removed?In densely populated localities such as Chawri Bazar, even a minor lapse in construction practices can have devastating consequences, not only for workers but also for residents and passersby.
An investigation will be crucial to establish whether the collapse was caused by structural weakness, unsafe construction practices or negligence.Opposition Demands High-Level ProbeThe incident has also triggered a political response, with the opposition targeting the BJP-led Delhi government and the BJP-ruled MCD over alleged corruption and unchecked illegal construction.The opposition alleged that building collapse incidents have become a matter of serious concern in the national capital and accused the civic administration of failing to effectively regulate unauthorised construction.
It demanded a high-level inquiry, faster rescue operations and strict action against officials and other individuals found responsible.The Bigger Question: Who Will Be Held Accountable?For the families of the two deceased, Thursday morning has turned into an unimaginable tragedy. What began as an ordinary working day ended with two lives lost at a construction site.
While the immediate priority remains ensuring that no one is left trapped under the debris and that the injured receive proper medical treatment, the authorities must also establish accountability.
The investigation must examine the structural condition of the building, the circumstances surrounding shuttering removal, construction permissions and the role of officials responsible for monitoring the site.Removing the rubble cannot be the end of the exercise. The real test will be whether the authorities identify the lapses and take action to prevent another such tragedy in Delhi’s densely populated neighbourhoods.
