Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday visited Satya Niketan to take stock of the search and rescue operation at the site of a multi-storey building collapse that killed six people and left several others injured.
Gupta, who had also visited the site on Sunday, was accompanied by senior Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials. Rescue teams continued their work for a second day as debris was cleared from the collapsed structure.
So far, 11 people have been rescued from the rubble. One more person was pulled out during the night but was brought dead, taking the death toll to six.
"One more person was rescued during the night but was brought dead, taking the toll to six," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel said.
The building, which housed a boys' paying guest accommodation near Delhi University's South Campus, collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair work was underway.
CM orders action against unsafe buildings
Gupta said people, including children, living in nearby buildings found to be unsafe had also been evacuated. Describing the collapsed structure as “completely dangerous”, she said it would be demolished after the debris is removed.
“No dangerous building will be left standing,” Gupta said.
She said buildings found to have similar safety concerns would undergo structural audits and face action. The government is also preparing a comprehensive draft covering such structures and the steps required to deal with them.
The chief minister said around 80 per cent of the debris had been cleared, although material equivalent to the basement was still left at the site.
Waterlogging, repair work under scrutiny
Gupta said water was present in the basement and claimed that waterlogging, combined with repair work being carried out on the old structure, led to the collapse.
The Delhi government had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident on Sunday and directed that an FIR be registered against the building owner.
Police search for building owner
Delhi Police have been conducting raids at several locations in an effort to trace owner Hariram, who has reportedly absconded. Teams also searched locations in Gurugram and the premises of people believed to be associated with him.
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said accountability would be fixed and officials found responsible for any lapse would be suspended. He said the building was around 35 to 40 years old and had four floors and a basement.
Two nearby buildings declared unsafe
MCD Commissioner Sanjeet Kherwal said officials had inspected nearby structures during the rescue operation. Two buildings in the neighbourhood were found to be unsafe.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy,” Kherwal said.
Traffic movement around Satya Niketan Market, South Campus and routes towards Dhaula Kuan has also been affected as rescue and relief work continues.