New Delhi, 08 September (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday met the families of students injured in the collapse of a paying guest (PG) accommodation building in Satya Niketan at the AIIMS Trauma Centre and offered them reassurance and support. She said the Delhi government would bear the entire cost of treatment for all students injured in the accident.

The Chief Minister enquired with the families about the students’ health and the status of their treatment. She assured them that the Delhi government stood firmly with them during this difficult time and that no deficiency would be allowed in the medical care being provided to the students.

The Chief Minister also sought detailed information from AIIMS doctors regarding the condition of the injured students and the treatment being provided to them. The doctors informed her that a team of specialists was continuously monitoring the condition of the critically injured students. The Chief Minister directed the doctors to ensure that all injured students received the best possible treatment and every necessary medical intervention. She assured the families that the government would provide all possible assistance for any treatment-related requirement. She prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured students and urged their families to remain strong and patient.

The Chief Minister also informed the families that action in connection with the Satya Niketan accident was being pursued. The owner of the building involved in the incident has been arrested. She said no person responsible for the incident would be spared and that strict action would be ensured against those found guilty on the basis of the investigation. At present, the government’s foremost priority is to save the lives of the injured students and provide them with the best possible medical care. The government remains in continuous contact with the affected families and is ensuring that their needs are fully addressed.

Following the Chief Minister’s strict directions, a comprehensive review of safety arrangements at PG accommodations across Delhi has been expedited. The Municipal Corporation has been directed to inspect all PG accommodations falling within its jurisdiction. Officials in the respective zones have been instructed to examine building safety, mandatory permissions, Fire Safety No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), structural stability certificates and other prescribed standards, and prepare detailed reports. Senior officials at the zonal level will supervise the entire exercise.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the safety of workers engaged in buildings surrounding the accident site in Satya Niketan. She said the Municipal Corporation had been directed, in the interest of public safety, to demolish dilapidated buildings located near the accident site. Delhi Fire Service personnel are systematically retrieving and safely removing the belongings of students from inside the building. All students and local residents have been requested to cooperate with the authorities.

She also directed that no construction activity of any kind should be undertaken at the site until safety is fully ensured and that any activity posing a threat to the lives of workers should be stopped immediately. She reiterated that no compromise with the safety of citizens in Delhi would be tolerated at any level.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar