New Delhi: After the collapse of the PG building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan, the government has now decided to make a new policy regarding the safety of public use buildings in the capital. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta again visited the incident site on Monday and took information about the rescue operation. She said that regular structural audit and safety certification will be made mandatory in PGs, nursing homes, schools and other such buildings. Without security certificate, public activities will not be allowed at these places. So far, six people have been confirmed dead in the accident and the search for people from the debris is going on.
Will it now be necessary to conduct structural audit of every PG?
The scope of the government’s proposed policy will not be limited to PG only. According to the Chief Minister, every building used for public activities, where a large number of people come or live, will be inspected from time to time. This will also include schools, nursing homes and other public facilities. Activities will not be allowed to continue in a building that does not meet the safety standards.
What action will be taken against officials if negligence is found?
Rekha Gupta said that if any government official’s lack of monitoring, negligence or other lapse is found in the accident, then responsibility will be fixed. The government has said that strict action will be taken against such officers. This means that the investigation will not be limited to just the owner of the building or the people associated with the construction, but the role of the government system that monitors it will also be under the ambit of investigation.
Why is the work going on in the basement being considered the reason for the accident?
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the building where the accident occurred was about 40 to 50 years old. According to him, an attempt was made to carry out work in the basement and according to initial information, it is being linked to the accident. Other reports have also revealed water accumulation in the basement and increased pressure on the structure due to construction work. However, the final cause of the accident will become clear only after the investigation is completed.
Why was the adjacent building also evacuated?
Another old building near the accident has also been evacuated. This building is also said to be about four to five decades old. The administration has decided to demolish it, but at present it is not possible to demolish it immediately. The reason is that the structure is unstable and the position of the debris accumulated below is not completely clear. Care is also being taken that no further danger arises due to its demolition during the rescue operation.
What is the biggest problem facing NDRF?
While removing the debris, the rescue team is not only faced with the challenge of searching for the buried people. The condition of the surrounding buildings is also a cause for concern. NDRF has to remove the debris in such a way that there is no additional pressure on the nearby unstable building. For this reason the search operation is being carried forward with utmost caution. On Monday, the Chief Minister met NDRF officials to know the status of the operation.
Which building has been ordered to be demolished by MCD?
Delhi Municipal Corporation has declared the building of property number 13 of Satya Niketan as dangerous and has ordered it to be demolished within three days. The corporation says that the dilapidated condition of the building was a threat to the safety of the people living in it and the surrounding areas. After the accident, the demand for investigation into other old and weak buildings of the area has also intensified.
Why are ABVP and NSUI protesting?
Student organisations have also raised questions on the administration regarding the accident. ABVP and NSUI demonstrated on Monday and demanded action against those responsible. NSUI President Vinod Jakhar raised questions on the rescue arrangements and alleged that preparations regarding disaster management, equipment and trained teams were not adequate. Whereas ABVP demanded fixing the accountability of MCD.
Will Satya Niketan accident bring changes in Delhi’s building safety system?
The aim of the government’s new policy is said to be that no public activity can be carried out by putting people’s lives at risk. The Satya Niketan incident has raised questions on the safety of PGs and old buildings, especially those running in student areas. Now preparations are underway to tighten the system regarding regular testing, safety certificates and adherence to rules. At present, the investigation of the accident and search in the debris is going on, while the government is talking about taking action against the culprits and those responsible for negligence.
