Delhi Jal Board Inquiry Uncovers Critical Safety Failures in Janakpuri Sewer Tragedy
A preliminary investigation conducted by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has uncovered serious and alarming lapses in mandatory safety arrangements at a sewer line rehabilitation site located in Janakpuri. This site is where 25-year-old Kamal Dhyani tragically fell to his death in an open pit on Friday, highlighting a devastating failure in basic protective measures.
Report Details Inadequate Barricading and Negligence
The committee, which was constituted by the DJB chief executive officer, made a critical observation during its inquiry. It found that the barricading at the excavation site was inadequate and improperly maintained by the agency and the contractor involved. This negligence effectively transformed the worksite into a dangerous death trap, directly contravening established safety protocols.
According to standard operating procedures, which are designed to prevent such tragedies, iron barricades are mandatory along the entire perimeter of such excavation sites. These barriers must remain securely in place until the road surface is fully levelled and deemed safe for public use. The report explicitly clarified that green mesh netting is permissible only in non-excavated areas where separation is required, not as a substitute for proper barricading at active pits.
Accountability Fixed on Officials and Contractor
The inquiry report was unequivocal in its findings, stating that the site was left completely unattended at the time of the fatal incident. This reflects a grave lapse in mandatory safety arrangements and points to a clear deficiency in the discharge of official duties and responsibilities.
The report specifically named the agency, M/s KK Spun India Ltd O Liner JV, and the supervising officers of the engineering project division, EE(P)SR-II, as being responsible. It detailed that such negligence constitutes non-compliance with established safety norms and represents a dereliction of duty.
The officials implicated include:
- Ramesh Kumar Gupta, senior engineer (Dr)-Proj-IV
- Azad Singh Grewal, executive engineer (P) SR-II
- Vandana, assistant engineer (civil)
- Alok Kumar, junior engineer (civil)
In response to these findings, all these officials have already been suspended pending further disciplinary proceedings. The committee has recommended fixing accountability and initiating strict disciplinary actions against both the officials and the contractor for their failure to adhere to prescribed safety norms.
Recommendations for Enhanced Safety and Prevention
The preliminary report served as a grave reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can arise from inadequate safety measures at public worksites. To prevent any recurrence of such a tragic event, the committee put forward several stringent recommendations:
- Issuing written show-cause notices to all contractors engaged at the site, with strict instructions to be enforced after examining their replies to ensure immediate corrective actions.
- Mandating full compliance with all public safety and labour welfare norms across all DJB projects.
- Making chief engineers directly responsible for monitoring and enforcing adherence to safety standards to ensure accountability and uniform implementation.
- Strict enforcement of barricading and pit-protection norms without any compromise.
- Requiring daily safety monitoring reports to be submitted by site engineers.
- Conducting periodic surprise inspections by chief engineers to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Maintaining detailed photographic records at each worksite to document safety measures.
The report emphasized that uncompromising enforcement of public safety norms must remain the foremost priority for the Delhi Jal Board and all associated contractors. This tragic incident in Janakpuri underscores the critical need for rigorous oversight and absolute adherence to safety protocols to protect both workers and the public.
