Delhi Man Dies After Falling into Sewer Project Pit; Jal Board Suspends Three Officials, Government Orders High-Level Probe
In a tragic incident in Delhi, a 25-year-old man, identified as Kamal Dhyani, fell to his death in an excavation pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Janakpuri. The DJB has suspended three officials, and the Delhi government has ordered a high-level probe into the matter, while also announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's family.
Details of the Accident and Immediate Response
Officials reported that the accident occurred at a site where an ongoing sewer project was underway. Preliminary inspections revealed that the excavation pit measured approximately 6 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 4.25 meters in depth. While portions of the service road were barricaded, initial investigations indicated that safety arrangements around the pit were not fully compliant with prescribed norms, allowing the movement of two-wheelers in the vicinity.
Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, who is also the Janakpuri MLA, visited the site on Friday morning to assess the situation. In a post on X, Minister Singh stated that a committee has been directed to immediately inspect the accident site and review safety measures, including barricading, signage, and traffic management. The committee is tasked with verifying compliance with safety norms, fixing responsibility for any lapses, and recommending strict corrective and disciplinary actions.
Suspensions and Government Actions
The DJB, in an official statement, cited prima facie negligence as the grounds for suspending three officials: Executive Engineer Vandana, Assistant Engineer A S Garewal, and Junior Engineer Alok Kumar. The statement noted that while the service road was barricaded and closed for public safety, additional safety measures should have been implemented to prevent such an incident.
Despite no public statement from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, a senior government official confirmed that the concerned minister had responded and taken action, and is closely monitoring the probe. The Delhi Police has registered an FIR under Section 105 (culpable homicide) of the BNS against the contractor and relevant DJB officials. A senior police officer mentioned that preliminary inquiries suggested a lack of adequate barricading at the site.
Broader Safety Measures and Government Stance
In response to the tragedy, Minister Singh has directed officials to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing sewer, road, and flood control projects to ensure full compliance with established norms. He emphasized that public safety is paramount and that any failure to adhere to safety standards will be dealt with strictly, both administratively and contractually.
The government expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "The tragedy has caused deep pain to the affected family, and the government stands firmly with them in this difficult time." This incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety protocols at construction sites in urban areas, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and accountability.
