NEW DELHI: A week after 27-year-old Yuvraj Mehta drowned in a pit in Noida’s Sector 150, alarm bells rang in Delhi Jal Board (DJB). In an instructional order issued on Jan 24, the chief executive officer of the water utility asked officials to get “all the safety norms checked on all the construction sites of DJB, may it be small or large”.Kamal Dhyani’s death in a pit dug by DJB on Frid-ay shows the instructions were not heeded.
The order categorically directed all DJB officials and contractors to ensure proper barricading, signage, reflectors, and strict adherence to safety norms at every construction site. The order also warned that any lapse would invite disciplinary action against engineers and contractors, and mandated surprise inspections, photographic compliance reports, and personal accountability of site engineers.The DJB’s Jan 24 order explicitly cited the Noida accident as a warning and made executive engineers, assistant engineers, and junior engineers personally accountable for any lapse, warning that missing safety norms would attract immediate disciplinary action and contractor liability.A press statement issued by the Delhi govt on Friday said the preliminary inspection in Janakpuri revealed that an excavation pit, around 6 metres in length, 4 metres in width, and approximately 4.25 metres deep, was dug as part of an ongoing sewer project. While partial barricading was in place, officials acknowledged that safety arrangements were not fully in line with prescribed norms, and 2-wheeler movement continued dangerously close to the pit.Delhi Cabinet minister Parvesh Sahib Singh ordered the immediate suspension of the executive engineer, assistant engineer, and junior engineer in-charge of the area and project, citing serious supervisory and enforcement lapses. The contractor executing the work has been placed under investigation, with the govt stating that strict action, including blacklisting, would follow if violations are established.The minister noted that safety advisories were circulated not only by the DJB but also by the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department after the Noida incident, underscoring a failure of compliance and monitoring.A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted by the DJB to fix responsibility, identify procedural shortcomings, and recommend corrective measures to prevent recurrence. Verma said the tragedy caused “deep pain” to the victim’s family and asserted that public safety would not be compromised. “Any failure in adhering to established safety standards will be dealt with strictly, both administratively and contractually,” he said. The minister also ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing sewer, road, and flood control projects across Delhi.Area MLA and Delhi minister Ashish Sood called the incident regrettable and said strict action will be taken after accountability is fixed. “There are reports suggesting negligence at the site, but accountability will be determined only after a proper investigation. If anyone is found guilty, the government will not spare them and strict action will be taken,” Sood, who visited the accident site, said.Sood said a pipeline in the area was being renewed after nearly 50 years, with most of the work being carried out using trenchless technology. “Digging a road 30 feet deep would otherwise require enormous time and money, which is why this method was chosen,” he said.
