In a tragic turn of events early Friday morning, a building collapse near Pul Mithai in North Delhi's Lohia Chowk area claimed the life of Manoj Sharma, a 45-year-old employee known affectionately as Pappu. Manoj Sharma was associated with shop number 7A, owned by Gulshan Mahajan, for over three decades. The collapsed building, situated at Tokri Walan in Pul Mithai near Bara Hindu Rao, housed several shops and godowns, primarily dealing in bags and canvas cloth within the Azad Market area.
According to reports from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is undertaking extensive tunnelling work for the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg corridor nearby, the buildings had been marked as unsafe. Prior to the incident, DMRC had issued warnings to the building owners on June 12, 2025, urging them to evacuate the premises due to their precarious condition. The precautionary measures included subsoil grouting and external supports to mitigate risks during the tunnelling operations.
Despite these efforts, the structures collapsed during the night, prompting immediate rescue operations conducted jointly by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Police. The area has since been cordoned off for safety reasons.
In response to the tragic loss of Manoj Sharma's life, DMRC has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to his family. The incident has also sparked a detailed investigation by DMRC into the circumstances leading to the collapse. Simultaneously, Delhi Police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to ascertain the exact cause of this unfortunate incident.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks associated with urban infrastructure development and the critical need for rigorous safety protocols in construction zones. As investigations unfold, authorities and stakeholders will undoubtedly focus on preventing such tragedies in the future through enhanced safety measures and stricter enforcement of building regulations.
The Delhi Metro expansion project, aimed at bolstering the city's public transport infrastructure, remains crucial, albeit under heightened scrutiny following this regrettable event. The outcome of the investigation will be eagerly awaited by residents and stakeholders alike, hoping for insights that can prevent similar incidents and uphold the safety of all involved in Delhi's rapid development initiatives.
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