Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday visited the site of a building collapse in south Delhi’s Saket, personally reviewing the ongoing rescue operation and directing officials to ensure that all possible assistance reaches the affected individuals. Her government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and registered a criminal case in connection with the collapse.
Inquiry and Legal Action Initiated
The First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged at the Mehrauli police station. The magisterial probe will be conducted under the supervision of the South district magistrate, following the directives of the chief minister. This step aims to determine the cause of the collapse and fix responsibility.
Rescue Operations Underway
Local residents expressed fears that more people could still be trapped under the debris of the collapsed structure. Responding to these concerns, Chief Minister Gupta stated that search and rescue operations are being carried out meticulously by the concerned agencies. She assured that no effort would be spared in locating any remaining trapped individuals.
Concerns Over Unauthorised Construction
During her visit, residents raised serious concerns about rampant and unauthorised construction in the area, as well as inadequate safety measures in several buildings. Gupta responded firmly, saying, “Action will be taken against all unauthorised buildings and the officers responsible for them.” She directed officials to inspect all dilapidated and hazardous buildings in the vicinity and take strict action wherever necessary.
Government Assurance
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed that a multi-agency search and rescue operation was still ongoing. Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood stated that all agencies are working in coordination to safely evacuate anyone trapped and provide immediate assistance to the affected families. “Every available resource has been deployed, and efforts are continuing without interruption,” he said. He added that the situation is being closely monitored, and the administration is committed to providing timely support to those in need.
This incident has once again highlighted the issue of unsafe construction practices in the capital, prompting the government to take stringent measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
