Source TOI
NEW DELHI — In a swift response to a fatal accident in West Delhi, the Delhi government on Friday suspended three senior engineers from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The action follows the tragic death of a 25-year-old motorcyclist who fell into a deep, allegedly unsecured construction pit in the Janakpuri area.
The deceased, identified as Kamal Dhyani, was returning home from his office in Rohini late Thursday night when his motorcycle plunged into the 15-foot-deep excavation. His body and vehicle were discovered by a passerby early Friday morning, sparking a wave of public outrage over safety lapses at government construction sites.
Top Developments in the Case
Disciplinary Action: Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma ordered the immediate suspension of an Executive Engineer (EE), an Assistant Engineer (AE), and a Junior Engineer (JE). The minister stated it was their primary duty to monitor safety and progress at the site.
Safety Lapses Identified: A preliminary inspection revealed that the pit—measuring approximately 6 meters by 4 meters—was part of the Janakpuri Line Rehabilitation Project. While some barricades were present, they were found to be insufficient and not in compliance with prescribed safety norms for night-time visibility.
The Family’s Desperate Search: The victim’s family alleged “gross negligence” by both the DJB and the police. They claim to have visited multiple police stations throughout the night to report Kamal missing, but his location was only confirmed after 7:00 AM when police recovered the body.
High-Level Inquiry: The DJB has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The probe will focus on whether adequate warning signs, lighting, and reflectors were placed around the excavation, especially since the pit had been dug only 24 hours prior to the accident.
Compensation and Accountability: The government has announced an ex-gratia payment for the victim’s family. Minister Verma also warned that the private company executing the project could be blacklisted if the final report confirms criminal negligence.
A Recurring Safety Crisis
The incident has reignited a heated political debate regarding infrastructure safety in the National Capital Region. Critics have drawn parallels to a similar tragedy in Noida just weeks ago, where a software engineer died under comparable circumstances.
“This is not just an accident; it is a result of extreme negligence,” a government spokesperson said. “Strict circulars regarding site barricading were issued on January 24, yet they were ignored on the ground.”
The Delhi Police have registered an FIR and are currently reviewing CCTV footage from Joginder Singh Marg to reconstruct the sequence of events.
