Mustafabad building collapse: Structure built around 20 yrs ago in ‘unauthorised’ colony
Delhi is failing the residents at every juncture, with people suffering on one side and politicians doing what they are best known for – blaming each other and the apathy continues.
The ill-fated four-storey building, which collapsed in northeast Delhi’s Mustafabad area, was constructed around 20 years ago in an unauthorised colony. The area has now become a den of illegal constructions. According to civic agency officials, the building was located in an unauthorised colony, which is characterised by a densely populated area having narrow alleys.
Local residents help the agencies in carrying out the rescue operation in New Delhi on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
Narrow lanes hindered the rescue operation as the agencies like the Delhi Fire Service and the National Disaster Response Force struggled to reach the spot with heavy machinery like JCB machines that ultimately delayed the rescue operation.
As per local inquiry and inputs from police sources, it was found that the said building, with an approximate plot area of 60 square yards, consisted of a ground floor plus three additional storeys.
After receiving the information, field staff from the Building Department, Maintenance Department and Sanitation Department rushed to the site along with necessary machinery and labour force. Around 22 persons were trapped when the building collapsed. After around 14-hour long operation, only 11 lives could be saved while others died.
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, who visited the site with area MLA Mohan Singh Bisht, said it was not an accident, but “serious criminal negligence”. He assured that the culprits will not be spared under any circumstances. The Minister said the area was surrounded by illegally constructed six-seven storey buildings, which may cause even bigger disaster in the future.
“Areas like Seelampur, Mustafabad and Jafrabad are overwhelmed with illegal constructions, and the situation is alarming. I have directed the officials to identify all such buildings and evacuate them immediately to ensure the safety of lives and property in time,” Mishra said.
Delhi