In response to a fatal accident involving a motorcyclist in Delhi, CM Rekha Gupta implemented an 8-point safety framework at excavation sites.
After a fatal accident in west Delhi’s Janakpuri, where a motorcyclist died after drowning in an uncovered excavation pit, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered a clear eight-point safety framework aimed at preventing similar incidents. The Chief Minister directed all departments to submit a comprehensive list of mining sites in Delhi within three days.
The 8-point safety framework aims to prevent similar tragedies and hold agencies accountable for safety lapses after a motorcyclist died after falling into a pothole in New Delhi’s Janakpuri area. (PTI)Also Read | Delhi biker’s body lay in pit for ‘8 hours’, 5 people knew, no one helpedWhat happened?A 25-year-old HDFC Bank telecaller, identified as Kamal Dhiani, died after his motorcycle fell into a 4.5-metre deep pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board in West Delhi’s Janakpuri area. The accident took place when he was returning home from office in his TVS Apache, with no barricades or security measures in place at the site.
Now, CM Gupta has called for immediate and time-bound corrective action by every department and agency involved in road excavation, construction and maintenance, news agency PTI reported. According to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the government has identified serious lapses in field security arrangements and made it clear that negligence leading to loss of life will not be tolerated.
What are the safety rules?Acting on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary circulated a memorandum outlining the mandatory safety rules that must be followed at all sites involving the excavation of roads, footpaths or underground utilities. The framework is uniformly applicable and does not allow for any exemption, the statement said.
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Under the new directive, all work sites must have clear and visible warning signs in advance of each approach.Excavated areas should be protected with reflector lights, blinkers and illuminated tape with special emphasis on night time and low visibility conditions.Continuous and strong barricading must surround the entire site to prevent the entry of pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles.The order also states that barricades should be placed in a manner that eliminates the risk of accidents and ensures that open pits or loose excavated material are not exposed to pedestrians or contribute to dust pollution.Regular inspection of such sites has been made mandatory, with the Engineer-in-Charge and Field Engineers responsible for ensuring compliance throughout the duration of the work.The security framework covers all government departments and civic bodies in Delhi, including Public Works Department, Delhi Jal Board, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, NDMC, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Power Discoms and all executing agencies and contractors working under them.As part of a time-bound review, departments have been directed to audit all ongoing and recently completed excavation works and submit a consolidated report to the Chief Secretary’s office within three days. The report must include the location of the site, existing safety measures and corrective measures wherever deficiencies are identified.The Chief Minister has warned that strict disciplinary and legal action will be taken if the guidelines are violated. Liability for accidents, injuries or death due to negligence will be fixed on both officials and contractors, the statement said.Also Read | Delhi pit death: Executive engineer has history of corruption, records show(with inputs from PTI)
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