No one in charge: Delhi agencies shirk responsibility in unauthorised colony

The building collapse in northeast Delhi's Welcome on Saturday morning that claimed the lives of six people and injured eight others raised questions about why unauthorised construction in the area was not regulated, with city's civic agencies skirting responsibility.

- Snehil Sinha

As rescue operations began at Janata Colony, officials on the site first contacted the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), assuming that the area fell under its jurisdiction. But MCD denied responsibility, saying that since the area was part of a slum cluster, it could have been managed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).

"The area where the collapse occurred falls under the jurisdiction of DUSIB and it regulates construction activities. We have sent rescue teams at the spot....," said an MCD official, asking not to be named.