Delhi: Delhi Police have found serious safety lapses at the site of a road excavation in West Delhi’s Janakpuri where a 25-year-old motorcyclist lost his life last week. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the 15-foot-deep pit had no barricades, warning boards or personnel to alert commuters, despite being located in the middle of a busy roadway.
The excavation was carried out for a sewer-related project by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) through a private contractor on Professor Joginder Singh Marg, close to the Andhra School. Investigators noted that the site was left exposed without any preventive arrangements, creating a hazardous situation for motorists, especially during night hours.
A police inspection conducted after the incident revealed that the agencies involved were aware of the digging work but failed to implement even basic safety protocols. “The condition of the site clearly indicates negligence, as the pit remained uncovered and unsecured, posing a grave danger to road users,” the FIR stated.
The victim, identified as Kamal Dhyani, a private bank employee residing in Rohini, was returning home on his motorcycle during the early hours of Friday when he plunged into the open pit. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Following the findings, police have registered a case of culpable homicide against the contractor responsible for the work as well as concerned officials of the Delhi Jal Board. Further investigation is underway to determine accountability and whether additional lapses contributed to the fatal accident.
