The eight labourers, who survived after a portion of a housing society’s boundary wall collapsed in Noida’s Sector 21 on Tuesday morning, claimed that they had informed the sub-contractor about the structure’s weak condition but they were asked to continue working. Meanwhile, the Noida Police has arrested the sub-contractor identified as Gul Mohammad, who supplied labourers for the job.
Four construction workers had died while eight sustained injuries after they got buried in the wall collapse at Jal Vayu Vihar in Sector 21.
The deceased were identified as Pushpendra Singh (25), Panna Lal (25) and Amit (18), all from Budaun district in Uttar Pradesh, and Dharam Veer from Sambhal district.
Some of the labourers also alleged that Mohammad did not provide any safety gear to them.
Sanjeev Kumar (28), a native of Badaun and a relative of Pushpendra Singh, said they were working at the site since September 15 and on Tuesday they started work around 9 AM.
“We noticed that the boundary wall was unstable. We immediately informed the sub-contractor about the condition of the wall who asked us to continue the work. He told us that if anything happens, he will be responsible for it,” said Kumar.
Kumar sustained an injury in his leg and was discharged from the hospital after getting treatment.
“Pushpendra Singh is survived by his wife and four kids. All of us were staying at an accommodation in Ashok Nagar that was provided by the sub-contractor,” said Kumar.
“The drainage system along the boundary wall was completely chocked and it had to be repaired. When the work was going on, the wall suddenly collapsed. No safety gear was provided by the sub-contractor,” said 20-year-old Rishi Pal.
Rishi Pal lost his brother Dharam Veer and uncle Panna Lal in the wall collapse.
Multiple excavators were deployed to clear the debris of the collapsed stretch of the wall that was located adjacent to a drain, officials said as police and fire department personnel swung into action for immediate rescue and relief measures.
“Around 10.15 AM, Rishi Pal called me and informed that Dharam Veer and Panna Lal were buried under the debris. Both of them died. Their family members are coming to Noida,” Dhoom Singh, a vegetable seller at Indirapuram, said.
Dharam Veer’s father had an accident four years ago and can’t walk properly, Dhoom Singh added.