A three-storey building housing shops and godowns collapsed in Delhi’s Bada Hindu Rao area early Friday, killing a 46-year-old man and damaging a parked truck. The incident occurred around 1:55 AM in the Tokri Walan locality near Pul Mithai and Azad Market, officials said.
The deceased has been identified as Manoj Sharma, also known as Pappu, who worked at shop number 7A—one of the three shops on the ground floor of the structure, which sold bags and canvas cloth. He had been employed at the shop, owned by Gulshan Mahajan, for nearly 30 years.
Sharma was pulled out of the rubble and rushed to Hindu Rao Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. No other injuries were reported.
The building also housed godowns on the upper floors. Following distress calls, teams from the Delhi Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the Delhi Police crime unit reached the site for rescue and relief operations.
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While the cause of the collapse remains under investigation, officials said nearby metro construction work could be a factor. A case has been registered under IPC sections 106(1) (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 290 (public nuisance).
Authorities continue to monitor the site for safety concerns and to prevent further incidents. The collapse has sparked concern among residents and traders over structural integrity in the area, which is witnessing rapid infrastructure development.
(With inputs from PTI)
