Chawri Bazar Building Collapse: 2 Dead, CM Orders Suspensions and FIR
Delhi CM orders suspension of engineers and FIR against contractor after a building collapse in Chawri Bazar kills two. Read more.
Tragedy struck the heart of Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk area when a three-storey under-construction building collapsed in Gali Sitara, Sheesh Mahal, near the Chawri Bazar Metro Station. The devastating incident has claimed the lives of two individuals and left others injured, sparking a swift crackdown by the Delhi government.
Chief Minister Takes Stern Action
Reacting to the disaster, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site to oversee rescue operations and expressed her profound grief over the loss of lives. Taking immediate disciplinary action, the Chief Minister ordered the suspension of the area's Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE).
Furthermore, the Chief Minister has directed the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the contractor responsible for the construction. While extending condolences to the bereaved families, CM Gupta ensured that the injured receive top-tier medical treatment and that immediate ex-gratia financial assistance is provided to the victims' families.
"Public safety remains the government's highest priority," the Chief Minister stated, while ordering a detailed probe into the collapse. She warned that anyone found guilty would face strict legal action and urged citizens to adhere strictly to structural safety standards during construction.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
The scale of the collapse necessitated a multi-agency response. A coordinated effort is currently underway to clear the debris and search for any remaining trapped individuals. The teams deployed at the site include:
- Delhi Fire Service
- Delhi Police
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
- Central Accident Trauma Services (CATS)
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
LG Directs 'War Footing' Response
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also expressed his distress over the tragedy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the LG shared his prayers for the victims and their families, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
LG Sandhu has instructed all administrative and emergency agencies to execute search and rescue operations on a "war footing," mobilizing every necessary resource to the site. He further mandated that authorities ensure prompt, high-quality medical care for the injured and conduct a thorough inquiry to fix strict accountability for the failure.