Heavy Rains Trigger Delhi Metro Site Wall Collapse, Road Caves In Near Vasant Kunj
NEW DELHI — In a significant infrastructure setback following a night of incessant downpour, a wall at an under-construction Delhi Metro site near Vasant Kunj collapsed on Saturday afternoon, causing a portion of the busy Mahipalpur–Mehrauli road to cave in. The incident, which occurred near the D-6 block under the Masoodpur flyover, led to immediate traffic disruption and a major diversion advisory from the Delhi Traffic Police. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported, averting what could have been a fatal accident on the arterial road.
The collapse was reported to authorities around 1:30 PM on Saturday. A preliminary police inquiry suggested that the wall, part of an underground metro construction site, gave way due to the soil being weakened by heavy rainfall and a damaged sewage line in the vicinity. The collapse led to a section of the road approximately 10 to 15 meters long sinking in, rendering the stretch unsafe for vehicles.
In a statement, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) acknowledged the incident, clarifying that a small portion of the footpath and the adjacent excavated area had settled, leading to the road cave-in. Anuj Dayal, DMRC’s Principal Executive Director for Corporate Communication, confirmed, "There was absolutely no damage to any men or material." He added that restoration work has already commenced and the DMRC is collaborating with Delhi Traffic Police to manage the situation and ensure a smooth diversion of traffic.
The Mahipalpur–Mehrauli road is a crucial artery connecting South Delhi to the airport and Gurugram, making the disruption a major inconvenience for thousands of daily commuters. The Delhi Traffic Police swiftly issued an advisory on their social media handle, X, urging travelers to avoid the affected stretch and use an alternate route. Commuters heading from the Mehrauli side towards Mahipalpur were advised to take the Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, starting from Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, to reach their destination. Traffic police personnel were deployed at the site to guide motorists and manage the congestion, which stretched for several kilometers.
While the immediate focus remains on road repair and traffic management, the incident has raised questions about the safety protocols at ongoing infrastructure projects, especially during the monsoon season. A local resident's association president, Snehlata Rathi, took to social media to highlight the issue, sharing a video of a school bus tyre stuck in the collapsed road earlier in the day. The video underscored the public's concern over the construction work's impact on local safety and daily life.
The collapse near Vasant Kunj was one of several incidents of infrastructure damage reported across the city on Saturday, which was lashed by heavy, unseasonal rains. The downpour, which began late on Friday night, caused widespread waterlogging and traffic chaos in many parts of the National Capital Region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a 'red alert' for the city, warning of severe weather conditions.
As of Sunday, restoration work at the metro site is underway, with the DMRC assuring a swift resolution. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and commuters are advised to follow the official traffic advisories and allow for extra travel time until the affected road is fully restored. The DMRC is also expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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