Delhi building collapse: Nadda speaks to CM

On Sunday, a five-story PG hostel known as "Hostel Daze" collapsed in the congested Satya Niketan area of Delhi, leaving residents in shock and fear. Eyewitnesses likened the impact to an earthquake, prompting many to hastily evacuate nearby homes. The building, which housed numerous students, had been standing for over 20 years and showed no signs of maintenance during its long tenure.

As the debris continued to pile up, people in the densely populated neighborhood, which is home to private student hostels, eateries, and shops near Delhi University's South Campus, began digging through the rubble with their bare hands and available tools. The narrow lanes, already congested, further hampered the arrival of rescue vehicles at the site.

A resident of the locality, Priyanka, who has lived there for two decades, expressed her concerns over the increasing construction of multi-storeyed buildings in the area. She alleged that many houses have been converted into boys' PG accommodations, often left unattended by property owners who simply collect rent digitally. She pointed out that only around 30% of the house owners actually reside in the Satya Niketan complex.

The building where the collapse took place was undergoing repair work in its basement at the time of the incident. Rescue teams, including those from the Delhi Police, NDRF, Delhi Fire Service, and DDMA, along with fire tenders and CATS ambulances, sprang into action immediately. Two individuals were confirmed dead, while six others were rescued and taken to hospitals. The search and rescue operations are still ongoing.