NEW DELHI: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday suspended five South Zone officials, including the deputy commissioner, a day after a building housing a paying guest (PG) facility collapsed in Satya Niketan, leaving seven people dead.Mayor Pravesh Wahi said the action was aimed at setting an example and ensuring that such lapses were not repeated.“This is a big decision so that lapses do not happen in future. A magistrate inquiry has been ordered and the suspension will continue till its report is submitted. The CM and MCD are dedicated to preventing such incidents,” he said.Wahi also cautioned residents against making structural alterations to buildings, particularly changes to pillars, warning that such modifications could lead to loss of life.He said that in future, any building found to have construction beyond four floors would be sealed and action would also be taken against officials responsible for the area, including suspension.MCD Commissioner Sanjiv Khirwar said they have been no confirmation of any construction activity undergoing here. “But going by the locals’ allegation and the ongoing inquiry regarding some work in progress at basement, officials have been suspended. The civic body had “zero tolerance” towards unauthorised construction.”According to the suspension orders issued on Monday, the five officials are Rakesh Kumar, deputy commissioner; Ranvir Singh, superintending engineer; Lalit Kumar Goel, executive engineer (building); Sunil Chauhan, assistant engineer (building); and Ashish Kumar, junior engineer (building).The order said the officials had been placed under suspension with immediate effect under the DMC Services Regulations, 1959. They would be paid subsistence allowance as admissible under the rules.CM Rekha Gupta visited the place on Monday again. She said on ‘X’, “Approximately 80% of the debris has been cleared; only the rubble from the basement remains.It is certain that there was water in the basement, and the accumulation of water—combined with ongoing repair work on the old structure – resulted in the building collapsing. This matter is also under the direct personal supervision of our Health Minister, JP Nadda. ““The Union Home Minister is closely monitoring the situation, and we are receiving guidance from the Prime Minister as well. We are in touch with our parents. No dangerous building will be spared; and all such buildings will undergo a structural audit, and appropriate action will be taken. We are working on a draft policy for structural audit performa if they are running public utility services including PG,” she said on ‘X’
