Two Dead As Three-Storey Under-Construction Building Collapses In Delhi’s Chawri Bazaar

New Delhi: Alleged negligence in building safety and construction work in the national capital has once again claimed two lives. A three-storey under-construction building suddenly collapsed on Thursday morning in Gali Sheesh Mahal, Chawri Bazaar, Old Delhi. Within moments, debris spread across the road and surrounding areas, triggering panic and chaos.

Following the incident, teams from Delhi Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) immediately launched a joint rescue operation amid fears that several people were trapped under the rubble. So far, four people have been pulled out of the debris. Two have died, while the other two have been injured and are reported to be stable.

Building Collapses at 9:48 AM, Trapping Workers Under Debris

According to information, the three-storey under-construction building in Gali Sheesh Mahal, Chawri Bazaar, collapsed at around 9:48 AM. As soon as the incident was reported, police and fire department teams rushed to the spot.

A large-scale rescue operation was subsequently launched with the assistance of NDRF and MCD teams. Rescue personnel began removing the debris to locate and evacuate those trapped inside. So far, four individuals have been rescued.

 Two Families Plunged into Mourning

The incident claimed the lives of Kishori (40) and Sanjeet (45), both residents of Railway Colony, Mandawali.

Meanwhile, Sahdev Chaudhary (25), son of Dara Chaudhary and a resident of Mandawali, and Firoz (37), son of Tauhid and a resident of Railway Colony, Mandawali, were rescued in an injured condition.

Both injured individuals are reportedly stable and out of danger. The deaths of the two workers have plunged their families into deep mourning.

Three Contractors Arrested; Construction Practices Under Investigation

Following the collapse, Delhi Police initiated strict action against the building owners and contractors. A case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is being registered in connection with the incident.

In the same case, police have arrested three contractors from Sirohi village, located in the Dauz tehsil of Faridabad district.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

 Siraj, resident of House No. 4282, Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate.
Tajuddin, son of Samuddin, resident of House No. 4409, Gali Sitara, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi.
Furqan, son of Abdul Hafiz, resident of House No. 2994, Gali Naal Wali, Shahganj Chowk, Ajmeri Gate, Delhi-6.

Police are proceeding with the arrest-related formalities in the case registered under Section 105 of the BNS. The role of the building owners and compliance with construction safety standards are also being examined.

As rescue operations continue, authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and identifying those responsible.

 Midnight Blaze Engulfs Four-Storey Building in Gaffar Market

While the building collapse in Chawri Bazaar shattered the lives of two families, a massive fire caused extensive damage in Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh, during the midnight hours.

The PCR received a fire-related call from Chain Wali Gali, Gaffar Market, at 1:28 AM. In this connection, DD Entry No. 8 was registered at Karol Bagh Police Station. Upon receiving the information, the night staff of Karol Bagh Police Station and the SHO immediately reached the scene.

The fire had broken out at Shop No. 13/21 in Puri Plaza, a four-storey commercial building dealing in mobile phone accessories.

According to preliminary information, mobile batteries were stored in the ground-floor shop. The fire is suspected to have originated from this location before rapidly spreading across all four floors of the building.

 20 to 25 Fire Tenders Deployed to Control the Blaze

Considering the intensity of the fire, approximately 20 to 25 fire tenders were deployed at the site. Additionally, three CAT ambulances and two police PCR vehicles reached the location.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. However, the fire caused significant property damage, destroying goods stored inside the building and shops.

Battery Overheating or Overcharging Suspected as Possible Cause

According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that excessive heating or overcharging of mobile batteries could have triggered the fire.

However, the actual cause will only be established after a detailed investigation. Reports have been sought from the Delhi Fire Services and the Electrical Inspector.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team will also inspect the building to determine whether any other flammable materials were present at the site.

 MCD to Provide Structural Safety Assessment of the Building

Police have stated that the structural safety of the building will also be assessed following the fire incident.

The MCD will be asked to provide a structural safety assessment and relevant certification to determine whether the building has suffered any structural weakening that could pose a risk to life and property in the future.

Further legal action will be initiated based on the findings of the investigation.

At present, the fire has been completely extinguished, and law and order remain under control at the site.

Two Major Incidents in a Single Day Raise Questions Over Safety Standards

The collapse of the under-construction building in Chawri Bazaar and the massive battery-related fire in Gaffar Market have raised serious concerns over building safety, construction standards and fire prevention measures in Delhi’s busy commercial areas.

While the collapse claimed two lives, the fire engulfed a building located in a major commercial hub dealing in mobile phone accessories.

The ongoing investigations by Delhi Police, Fire Services, FSL and MCD are expected to establish the actual causes behind both incidents and identify possible lapses in safety measures.