Tragedy struck Janakpuri in West Delhi as 25-year-old Kamal Dhanyani perished in a pothole accident en route home from his Rohini job late at night. His body and bike were recovered from the pit Friday morning, prompting his family to vehemently accuse the local administration of gross negligence.
Brother Karan voiced the family’s anguish: ‘The buck stops with the administration. There was zero indication of the danger—no hoardings whatsoever. Police reached out that morning with promises of assistance, but justice is our cry.’
At the scene, Minister Ashish Sood offered sympathies. ‘Construction here has caused widespread inconvenience; I’ve monitored safety closely on multiple occasions,’ he explained. Investigation orders are in place, with full solidarity pledged to the kin.
Minister Prahlad Verma, on-ground with officials, confirmed the suspension of three Delhi Jal Board staff—a junior engineer, executive, and assistant—over the prolonged site work. With barricades spaced 100 meters on either side, the pit was newly created overnight in a closed lane.
Describing it as a ‘tragic oversight,’ Verma committed to victim compensation and fortified preventive actions. The Jal Board’s inquiry committee targets a 24-hour turnaround. This incident exposes vulnerabilities in nighttime construction practices, urging Delhi’s policymakers to prioritize illuminated warnings and round-the-clock supervision for public safety.