Vacant, multi-storey building gives way in Sector 17

A multi-storey building that once housed the famous Mehfil Restaurant collapsed in the busy Sector 17 market here this morning. No one was inside the building at the time of the incident.

The renovation work was being carried out in the building, but it was halted on December 30 after the owner of the adjacent building reported about the shaking structure. Sensing potential danger, the police ordered the renovation work to stop and deployed personnel around the clock to prevent access to the site. The road in front of the building was also closed for vehicular traffic.

Once housed famous Mehfil Restaurant

• The building once housed famous Mehfil Restaurant
• It had been lying unused for 14 years
• Was rented out to retail jewellery firm on Nov 6
• Renovation work stopped on Dec 30 as pillars developed cracks
• Finding potential danger, police stopped renovation work, prevented access to building

The building collapsed around 7.10 am today, causing significant damage to the adjoining building. The pillars and a wall of the building were damaged. The passage connecting the collapsed building to the adjacent block was also damaged.

After getting the information, police teams and fire tenders were rushed to the scene. The site was completely cordoned off. Later in the day, the debris was cleared and the road was reopened for vehicles.

Sanjay Bansal, the owner of the building, stated that they had purchased the property six months ago and rented it to a jewellery firm on November 6. Bansal said the renovation was being carried out in the building under the supervision of the tenant’s technical team. He added that the revised building plan had been submitted to the Estate Office prior to the renovation of the building that was lying unused for 14 years.

The UT Administration has initiated an investigation into the incident. No police case has been registered so far.

On December 30, cracks had been observed in the building’s pillars. Loud sounds were heard as the structure weakened. Labourers, who were carrying out the renovation, had rushed out of the building.

The police were informed following which a team led by DSP (Central) Udaypal Singh inspected the site in the evening. The police ordered halting the work, deeming the building to be unsafe. They did not allow further renovation until the building owners submitted a ‘safety certificate’. Barricades were placed on the road in front of the building to stop vehicular traffic.

“The building was inspected, and videography was conducted on December 30. Further renovation was stopped as any alteration could have caused an immediate collapse,” said a police official.

The police had also informed the Estate Office about the condition of the building.

On June 8, 2014, the building housing the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology in Sector 17 had collapsed following a major fire that triggered a chain of gas cylinder blasts in the air-conditioning plant in its basement, claiming the lives of two firemen.