Tragic Building Collapse Near Azad Market: DMRC Announces Rs 5 Lakh Aid

New Delhi, India – A devastating building collapse in the early hours of Friday near Pul Mithai in North Delhi’s Lohia Chowk area has claimed the life of a 45-year-old man, identified as Manoj Sharma, also known as Pappu. In response to this tragic incident, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to his grieving family. This gesture aims to provide some immediate relief to the loved ones affected by the sudden and unfortunate Azad Market collapse.

Manoj Sharma, who had dedicated three decades of his life working at shop number 7A, owned by Gulshan Mahajan, was caught in the debris when the structure crumbled. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly in the bustling Azad Market area, where the collapsed building was situated. The structure, located at Tokri Walan in Pul Mithai near Bara Hindu Rao, housed three shops on its ground floor and godowns on the first floor, primarily dealing in bags and canvas cloth. The loss of life due to the Azad Market collapse is a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities of urban infrastructure.

The Precarious Pre-Existing Conditions of the Azad Market Property

According to the DMRC, the building involved in the Azad Market collapse had been previously identified as unsafe. It was located within the “influence zone” of the ongoing tunnelling work for the Janakpuri West-RK Ashram Marg corridor, a crucial part of Delhi’s expanding metro network. Recognizing the potential risks, DMRC had taken proactive measures before the catastrophic Azad Market collapse.

Official statements from DMRC reveal that warning letters were dispatched to the building owners as early as June 12, 2025, advising them of the precarious situation. Furthermore, DMRC confirmed that the building had been evacuated prior to the incident, indicating a foresight into the potential danger. Despite these efforts, the structural integrity failed, leading to the unfortunate Azad Market collapse. To minimize risks associated with the tunnelling, subsoil grouting and the addition of external supports were also undertaken, a standard procedure for construction in densely populated areas. The investigation will now focus on why these preventive measures could not avert the Azad Market collapse.

Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Investigation into the Azad Market Disaster

Following the Azad Market collapse, immediate rescue operations were launched. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Police are working tirelessly at the site, sifting through the rubble in search of any further victims or to clear the debris. The scene near Pul Mithai remains active as emergency services coordinate their efforts.

Both DMRC and the Delhi Police have initiated separate investigations into the Azad Market collapse. The aim is to ascertain the precise cause of the building’s failure and to determine if all safety protocols were adhered to. This comprehensive inquiry into the Azad Market collapse is crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure accountability. The community, still reeling from the shock of the Azad Market collapse, awaits the findings of these investigations, hoping for clarity and measures that will enhance safety in the area. The focus remains on understanding the factors that contributed to this regrettable Azad Market collapse.

Ensuring Future Safety and Learning from the Azad Market Collapse

The incident near Azad Market serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by urban development, particularly when it intersects with existing, older infrastructure. The DMRC’s swift announcement of ex-gratia payment, while a small comfort, underscores the human cost of such disasters. As the city continues its rapid expansion, the need for stringent safety audits, timely enforcement of building codes, and effective communication with residents in influence zones becomes paramount. The lessons from the Azad Market collapse will undoubtedly inform future construction methodologies and urban planning strategies. The priority is to ensure that tragedies like the Azad Market collapse are not repeated, safeguarding lives and property in the future. The entire process, from pre-emptive warnings to post-disaster analysis, must be transparent and aimed at preventing another Azad Market collapse.