Ambala building collapse: Death toll rises to 6 as 2 bodies found from Debris

Taking a strong stance against influential persons allegedly involved in illegal real estate activities, Vij said, “The land mafia has such a strong lobby that they don’t let action be taken even after my written instructions to the officials”.

On the issue of unauthorised colonies, Vij said he had written to the authorities concerned three times, asking them to take action. “Neither are there facilities for the residents in such colonies, nor are the works done as per the approved map, which results in incidents like the one that happened on Monday,” he said.

Vij further said that, according to media reports, three officials from the Municipal Corporation (MC) had visited the construction site but failed to stop the work.

“If three Municipal Corporation officers or officials had also visited the site where the building was under construction, but did not stop its construction, they are also guilty and action would be taken against them too,” he said.

The minister said an FIR had been registered in connection with the incident and assured that those found responsible would face action.

“We will not spare anyone found guilty among those who launched this colony, ones who sold plots there and those who constructed the buildings. We will also take all necessary steps to prevent such accidents in the future,” Vij said.

He added that compensation would be provided to the victims in accordance with labour laws.

During Vij’s visit to the hospitals, some people raised slogans demanding the arrest of the property dealer who is allegedly the owner of the under-construction building. Only a portion of the structure remained standing after a major part of the building collapsed on Sunday.

According to officials, the incident occurred while workers were casting the concrete slab, or lintel, for the roof of the three-storey building, which reportedly belonged to an Ambala-based businessman-cum-property dealer.

Around 25 workers were present at the site at the time of the incident. Nearly 15 workers were engaged in casting the lintel on the third floor, while the others were on the ground floor, when a significant portion of the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several labourers under the debris.

Following the collapse, local residents rushed to the spot and began rescue efforts before police and emergency services arrived.

Ambala Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta and Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat also reached the site and supervised the rescue operation.