In a tragic incident in Old Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar, two individuals lost their lives when a building under construction collapsed. The collapse, which occurred on Thursday, has been attributed to a series of ignored warnings and unauthorized construction activities.
Ignored Warnings and Unauthorized Construction
According to a report by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the owner of the collapsed building, identified as Samiullah, was previously warned about the structural integrity of the property. Six months prior to the collapse, the MCD had advised him to reinforce the building under the guidance of a qualified structural engineer and to certify its safety.
Despite these warnings, Samiullah proceeded with unauthorized construction on the second and third floors. The Delhi Police had also flagged this unauthorized work, providing photographic evidence to the MCD. However, initial inspections by civic officials noted only repair and maintenance work taking place.
Collapse Triggered by Hastily Removed Supports
The MCD’s investigation indicates that the collapse was triggered when temporary supports beneath the third-floor lintel were removed hurriedly. This action was reportedly taken in fear of the unauthorized work being halted, resulting in the structure’s failure.
Additionally, Samiullah had paid property tax under a self-assessment scheme just before the MCD’s initial warning, declaring the building as having four floors. However, the actual structure was only three floors above the ground level, suggesting an attempt to mislead authorities.
Legal Action and Safety Measures
In response to the incident, the MCD has filed a formal complaint with the Delhi Police, requesting an FIR against Samiullah for the unauthorized construction. The civic body has also initiated structural safety inspections of adjacent buildings and aims to identify other properties with similar unauthorized constructions.
This incident highlights the critical need for strict adherence to building regulations and the potential consequences of neglecting safety warnings and procedures.
Source: NDTV India
