Poor construction kills 1 man, 4 injured as portion of Delhi Metro’s Gokulpuri Station collapses

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a devastating incident on Thursday morning, a portion of the Gokulpuri Metro station in northeast Delhi collapsed, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to four others. The tragic event has led to legal action against Metro contractors and builders, with two officials from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) suspended for negligence.

The victim, identified as 53-year-old Vinod Kumar Pandey from Karawal Nagar, lost his life as sections of the station's wall crumbled onto Chaprana Road, a busy thoroughfare. Three relatives of Pandey and another individual suffered injuries as the debris flattened vehicles on the arterial stretch.

The Delhi Police registered a case against Metro contractors and builders under sections 337 (rash and negligent act) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. However, the names of the individuals responsible were not disclosed by authorities. Meanwhile, DMRC took immediate action by suspending a manager and a junior engineer from the civil department pending further investigation.

The Gokulpuri Metro Station, part of the Pink Line between Majlis Park and Shiv Vihar, was constructed in 2018. The incident occurred at around 11 am, leading to the closure of the station for repairs from 11 am to 8 pm on the same day.

Vinod Kumar Pandey, who was on his way to supply rice from Karawal Nagar to Dilshad Garden, was trapped under the debris. Despite efforts from residents, police, and fire officials to rescue him, Pandey succumbed to his injuries at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

DMRC officials, including the executive director (civil), conducted on-site assessments of the situation. The corporation announced compensation for the victims, offering ₹25 lakh for the deceased's family, ₹5 lakh for serious injuries, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries.

This tragic incident has prompted concerns about construction quality and safety protocols, leading to increased scrutiny and demands for accountability in infrastructure projects.