A major accident has been reported from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, where a dilapidated water tank collapsed, leading to the death of two laborers. The incident took place behind the Kotwali Police Station, where an old and decaying water tank was being demolished. According to the available information, the structure suddenly crumbled while work was in progress, trapping the laborers working at the site under the heavy rubble. As soon as the news of the collapse spread, teams from the local police and the Municipal Corporation reached the spot to initiate a rescue operation. After intense efforts, one body was initially recovered from the debris. Subsequently, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was called in to conduct a specialized rescue operation, which led to the recovery of the second body from the site.
Details of the Demolition and the Accident
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday evening at approximately 5:30 PM. It has been revealed that the process of demolishing the old and dilapidated water tank had been ongoing for about a month. On the day of the accident, the laborers were reportedly cutting the iron rods inside the pillars of the tank using cutters. It was during this specific activity that the entire structure lost its balance and collapsed suddenly. At the time of the accident, a total of 5 laborers were present at the site. Out of these, 2 laborers lost their lives due to being crushed under the debris, while the remaining 3 were rescued safely from the location.
NDRF Rescue Operation and Official Statement
The NDRF 9th Battalion was involved in the rescue efforts to ensure all individuals were accounted for. Commandant Md. Salim Rahim of the 9th Battalion of the NDRF provided details regarding the operation. He stated that upon receiving information about the incident, the NDRF team immediately reached the site to recover the second body. He further explained that there were 5 people at the site during the collapse, out of which 3 were rescued safely. One body had been recovered earlier by the civil administration, and the second body was later retrieved by the NDRF team, while the recovered bodies have been handed over to the police for further procedures.
Context of Demolition Actions and Delhi MCD Crackdown
This incident in Ranchi comes at a time when authorities in other parts of the country are also taking strict action against dangerous and illegal structures. Following a similar accident in Satya Niketan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has launched a massive crackdown. On Wednesday, MCD teams conducted a large-scale campaign across all 12 zones of the national capital. During this operation, demolition actions were carried out on 34 buildings identified as dangerous or illegal. On top of that, 17 properties were sealed by the authorities to prevent further unauthorized use.
Impact on PG Accommodations and Legal Action
The MCD has also issued 22 show-cause notices and 4 separate demolition orders as part of its ongoing campaign. This aggressive action by the MCD has caused significant panic among PG (Paying Guest) operators and the local mafia involved in illegal constructions. In various parts of Delhi, students living in these accommodations are facing difficulties as PG owners are forcing them to vacate the premises due to the fear of impending administrative action. Meanwhile, in the case related to the Days Hostel accident, the police have arrested 5 accused individuals so far. During the interrogation, the accused admitted that they were aware of the dilapidated condition of the building but failed to take necessary precautions.