The owner of a five-storey building that collapsed in the Saidulajab area near Saket Metro station in New Delhi has been arrested. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has announced a drive to seal illegal structures across the city in response to the incident.
Incident Details
The building collapse occurred on Monday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. According to officials, the structure was illegally constructed and had been flagged for violations earlier. The owner, whose identity has not been disclosed, was taken into custody on charges of negligence and violation of building bylaws.
Rescue and Response
Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, worked tirelessly to search for survivors under the debris. As of Tuesday morning, several people have been rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
MCD's Action Plan
MCD officials stated that a comprehensive survey of all unauthorized constructions in the city will be conducted. Structures found to be unsafe or built without proper approvals will be sealed immediately. The drive aims to prevent such tragedies in the future and ensure compliance with building safety norms.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who have accused the MCD of failing to enforce regulations. Meanwhile, the ruling party has promised strict action against those responsible and vowed to strengthen the monitoring of construction activities.
Authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious or illegal construction in their neighborhoods. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to identify any other officials who may have been negligent.
