6 Feb : A late-night mishap in Delhi’s Janakpuri claimed the life of a 25-year-old man after he fell into an excavation pit associated with a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) project. The deceased, Kamal Dhayani, was riding his motorcycle along Joginder Singh Marg when the incident took place.
Following the incident, Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh ordered a comprehensive inquiry and instructed officials to look into possible lapses at the project site.
In a statement shared publicly, the Minister said authorities had taken the matter seriously.
“A serious view has been taken of the tragic accident at the Janakpuri Line Rehabilitation Project site. Delhi Jal Board has constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to ensure a transparent investigation into the incident,” he announced.
The committee has been tasked with inspecting the site without delay. It will review barricading arrangements, warning signage, traffic management, and compliance with prescribed safety standards.
The Minister emphasised that responsibility would be fixed if any shortcomings were identified and reiterated that public safety remains paramount.
Responding to the incident, the Delhi Jal Board said it had carried out an initial assessment, which suggested that the excavation area was secured using green mesh barricades.
“Preliminary inquiry has indicated that the road and the pit had been barricaded with green mesh. A committee has been formed to inquire whether all public safety measures were taken or not,” it further added.
The Board stated that strict disciplinary action would be initiated against any official or contractor found guilty of negligence.
Family Recounts Last Contact
According to Dhayani’s brother, the family last spoke to him around 11:30 PM, when he said he was close to home. When repeated calls later went unanswered, the family grew concerned and informed the police.
The excavation pit, estimated to be nearly 20 feet deep, was part of ongoing infrastructure work in the area.
Dhayani, a resident of Vikaspuri who worked with a private bank, reportedly fell into the pit along with his motorcycle.
Fire department personnel and local police teams launched a rescue and recovery operation on Friday morning. Officials said the body and the vehicle were retrieved from the pit at around 8:30 AM, following which a police case was registered and further investigation initiated.
