Delhi/Alive News: A three-storey building under construction collapsed in Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar area on Thursday morning, killing two people and injuring four others. Around 15 people are feared trapped under the debris, according to the Delhi Fire Service.
The incident took place at around 9:50 am in Gali Sattara, near Chawri Bazar Metro Station. Six fire engines were rushed to the spot after receiving information. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also joined the rescue operation.
The MCD has suspended two officials in connection with the incident. They are Assistant Engineer Mohammed Naeem and Junior Engineer Aman Dalal, both from the Building Department.
This is the sixth major building collapse reported in Delhi this year. The previous five incidents claimed 21 lives.
Building Collapsed During Removal of Roof Supports
According to an MCD official, construction work on the building had been stopped around 15 days ago. At the time of the incident, workers were removing the support structure installed beneath the roof when the entire building collapsed.
Officials said the construction materials and structural arrangements did not meet the required engineering standards.
Eyewitness Mohammed Naeem said the building had been under construction for the past three to four months. Three to four concrete roof slabs had already been laid, and all of them collapsed together.
AAP Questions Government Over Building Safety
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government and the MCD over the incident. In a post on X, he questioned the implementation of building safety audits despite repeated directions.
He also alleged corruption in government departments, claiming that some buildings were sealed while others continued operating without action. He further raised questions about alleged extortion in the Fire Department and SDM offices.
Five Major Building Collapses in Delhi This Year
The previous five major incidents claimed 21 lives:
- May 30 – Saidulajab: A four-storey commercial building collapsed, killing six people and injuring 13.
- July 8 – Rohini: Two under-construction buildings collapsed during heavy rain, killing three people.
- August 21 – Karol Bagh: Part of a building collapsed during demolition work, killing one worker and injuring two people.
- September 6 – Satya Niketan: A five-storey building collapsed while repair work was underway in the basement, killing seven people and injuring five.
- October 7 – Seemapuri: The front portion of a four-storey building collapsed, killing four people and injuring eight.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over building safety, construction standards and monitoring by civic authorities in the national capital.
