Delhi's Decade-Old Death Trap: Unguarded Pits Pose Imminent Danger to Residents
In a tragic incident highlighting urban negligence, an unguarded pit in West Delhi's Janakpuri claimed a life on Friday morning. Meanwhile, in Central Delhi, another massive, unbarricaded excavation pit at the Central Square-DCM Flatted Factory Complex in Bara Hindu Rao stands as a looming threat, with residents warning it could "claim a life at any moment" if urgent action is not taken.
A Decade of Danger: The Central Square Pit
The pit, estimated to spread over nearly seven acres, was dug over a decade ago for the Plaza 4 commercial project. It remains open and largely unsecured to this day. Long stretches along internal roads lack fencing, warning signage, or lighting, despite daily movement of people inside the complex. The excavated area is surrounded by dense, overgrown vegetation as construction activity was halted long ago.
Trees and shrubs have grown unchecked inside and around the pit, while stagnant greenish water has collected at the bottom. Garbage, debris, and soil have been dumped along the edges, concealing the pit's true depth. More than 400 laborers, along with their families, live in temporary shelters close to the site, and a few offices operate from the premises.
Voices of Fear and Frustration
"The pit is so dangerous that even a small mistake can take someone's life. We don't know when or how an accident may happen," said the owner of an office at the complex, adding that the site has become increasingly threatening over the years.
Jagdish Singh, a 71-year-old who booked a shop years ago, noted that fear among local people had grown following a recent accident involving an open pit in Noida. "This place has remained unsafe for years and nothing has changed," he rued.
Laborers pointed out that they negotiate the narrow lanes inside the complex every day. "Our children also use them. There is no safety, no barricade. This is a decade-old issue and it can take lives any time," one of them said.
Visible Hazard and Official Inaction
Locals claim the pit is visible from metro trains, looking like a river from a distance. "We have been flagging the issue with authorities for years, but no action has been taken," an office-owner stated.
According to residents, the Central Square pit has remained exposed for 12-15 years despite repeated complaints to civic, police, and environmental authorities. They allege that mandatory safety measures, including high protective barricades required under environmental clearance norms, were never implemented.
Expert Warnings and Urgent Calls for Action
Urban planning and safety experts warn that deep, long-abandoned excavations in dense urban areas pose severe risks, particularly during rain, poor visibility, and high pedestrian movement. They emphasize that such sites must be either securely barricaded or backfilled to prevent accidents.
Locals have sought immediate action, warning that continued inaction could result in a fatal accident. "We don't want action after someone dies. We want prevention," one of them said.
Builder's Response and Ongoing Litigation
Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for one of the builders said the excavation pit was around 20-30 feet deep and construction work had been halted due to ongoing litigation. "The project is still under construction and will be completed once the issues are resolved," he stated.
The spokesperson claimed the site was largely barricaded, with fencing missing only in a few patches. "The remaining barricading work is already under process and will be completed by the end of February. Every life is important to us and we do not want any dangerous situation around the site."
Appeals to Authorities
Several buyers have written to authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, labour department, and National Green Tribunal, seeking urgent action. There was no immediate response from MCD to queries sent by media outlets.
This situation underscores a critical urban safety issue in Delhi, where neglected infrastructure projects continue to endanger lives, demanding swift intervention from civic bodies and developers alike.
