NEW DELHI, Feb 6: Three Delhi Jal Board (DJB) engineers were suspended after a motorcyclist died on Friday after allegedly falling into a construction pit dug by the water agency, officials said.
Water Minister Parvesh Verma has directed a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing sewer, road and flood control projects across Delhi in the wake of the incident in west Delhi’s Janakpuri area.
Verma who inspected the construction site linked to a sewer pipeline rehabilitation project after the incident was reported Friday morning ordered the suspension of the DJB officers.
“We are suspending three officers — an executive engineer, assistant engineer and junior engineer. It was their duty to monitor the progress of the work ongoing here,” Verma told reporters.
While certain portions of the road were barricaded, initial observations suggest that safety arrangements around the excavation area were not fully in line with prescribed norms, and movement of two-wheelers was continuing in the vicinity, which raised serious safety concerns, he added.
“The tragedy has caused deep pain to the affected family, and the government stands firmly with them in this difficult time. Public safety is paramount. Any failure in adhering to established safety standards will be dealt with strictly, both administratively and contractually,” Verma said.
The minister added that contractors carrying out the work have been placed under investigation. If any violations are found, strict action will be initiated against them, which include blacklisting them from future work.
Verma has also announced ex gratia compensation to be given to victim family.
“Preliminary inspection of the site indicated that an excavation pit of approximately six metres in length, four metres in width and around 4.25 metres in depth had been created as part of the ongoing sewer project,” Verma said further.
According to DJB officials, detailed safety advisories had already been issued on January 24 after a similar incident in Noida, directing all officials and executing agencies to ensure strict barricading, signage and public protection at all work sites.
Further, the DJB has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to fix responsibility, examine procedural shortcomings and recommend corrective measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Work at the site has been ongoing for the last three months but the pit was dug on Thursday, he said. *PTI)
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