Greed is often the dominant ingredient in a recipe for disaster. The Delhi building collapse, which snuffed out the lives of at least three people and left several injured, is no different.
The road’s sloping terrain contributes to the waterlogging problem, PTI reported. Around this rickety, barely standing heap of bricks was a host of paying-guest and hostel facilities. Its proximity to Delhi University – where thousands of students from all across the country study – made it a lucrative opportunity. The owner of the building attempted to turn this opportunity into cash. The owner, Hari Ram Bansal, took several months to overhaul the structure. In August this year, the building welcomed tenants, mostly students. The construction work, however, was not complete. When the building crumbled, construction workers were working in the basement. Among the six people rescued were two labourers, indicating construction work had been underway. One labourer also died in the incident. The name of the building was Hostel Daze. The plan was to have two to three students occupy each room. What raises many questions is the fact that it was a residential building, not intended for commercial use. The area was waterlogged following two continuous days of rain in Delhi. Despite this, the labourers continued working. “Labourers were working in the basement even during the rain. “Buildings here are being constructed up to five or six floors. Many houses have been converted into boys’ PGs, with the owners shifting elsewhere. “Some work was going on in the basement, and a wall was being removed. The authorities have swung into action and registered a case against the owner – an action too little, too late.
A few months ago, this building was a dilapidated structure, around 50 years old, ravaged by the elements and neglect. It had around 30 rooms. Priyanka, who said she had been living in the area for 20 to 22 years, said PG owners convert their houses into hostels and live elsewhere. Another local said that Bansal had moved to Gurugram 20 years ago.
Locals said water had accumulated in the basement of the collapsed building. Waterlogging is common in the basements of buildings here, and they could also be trapped,” a local told the agency. They simply name the properties as PGs, take the rent online, and leave the area without ever checking back,” she said. Bansal kept visiting the property,” he said.
