On May 17, a tragic wall collapse at the basement of an under-construction hotel on Arakashan Road in Delhi’s Paharganj claimed the lives of three people – a contractor and two construction workers – and seriously injured another. The collapse occurred amid heavy rainfall and strong winds that weakened the structure.
Delhi Police have registered a case against the building owner under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and unsafe construction practices. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a thorough investigation and assured full support to the victims’ families.
Rescue teams from the Delhi Fire Service and the National Disaster Response Force responded swiftly, managing to extricate the injured worker and recover the bodies of the deceased.
Tragedy Unfolds Amidst Severe Weather: Victims and Rescue Efforts
The incident unfolded around 6:20 pm on May 17, when a large portion of the basement wall of the hotel under construction suddenly gave way. The collapse trapped four labourers beneath the rubble. The deceased have been identified as Prabhu (65), the contractor overseeing the project, and two workers, Niranjan (40) and Roshan (35), who were employed at the site.
Prabhu and Niranjan were residents of Bihar, while Roshan hailed from Uttar Pradesh. Another worker, Chuttan (35), was rescued alive but is currently undergoing treatment for severe injuries at a nearby hospital. Rescue operations were launched immediately after a police call, involving four fire tenders, the National Disaster Response Force, and a dog squad to ensure no one else was trapped.
Officials confirmed that all victims were extricated by 6:35 pm. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her condolences to the families, emphasising that “all necessary aid must be extended to the injured and the families of the deceased,” and ordered officials to expedite relief measures.
Pattern of Negligence: Background and Official Inquiry
This tragic event comes amid a spate of similar incidents in Delhi, where heavy monsoon rains and storms have repeatedly exposed unsafe construction practices. Just a month ago, a building collapse in Dayalpur, Northeast Delhi, resulted in 11 deaths, including eight members of a single family. In the current case, preliminary investigations suggest that the basement wall’s structural integrity was compromised due to ongoing construction activities combined with the impact of heavy rainfall and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 74 kmph.
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the building owner at Nabi Karim Police Station under sections related to criminal negligence. Authorities are also investigating whether the construction had the necessary municipal approvals.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been asked to provide all relevant documents. District magistrates and municipal officials visited the site to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. The administration has pledged financial compensation and support to the bereaved families, while also reviewing safety protocols for ongoing construction projects across the city.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recurring nature of such fatal accidents in Delhi’s construction sector is a glaring indicator of systemic failures in enforcing safety regulations and holding builders accountable. The Logical Indian stands firmly with the victims and their families, urging the government and civic bodies to prioritise the safety and dignity of construction workers who form the backbone of urban development.
This tragedy is a somber reminder that human lives must never be compromised for the sake of rapid construction or cost-cutting. As citizens and stakeholders, we must demand transparency, stricter oversight, and community engagement to prevent such disasters. How can we collectively ensure that the safety of labourers and residents is never sidelined in the race for urban growth?
