- Historic Chandni Chowk Town Hall partially collapsed due to heavy rains.
- Grade-1 protected heritage building suffered damage to roof and walls.
- MCD initiated clearance work; no injuries reported in the incident.
Delhi: A section of Delhi's Town Hall heritage building in Chandni Chowk recently collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The Grade-1 protected building is historically significant and is currently owned by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). As per the reports, several parts of the structure, including the roof, walls, and first floor, collapsed due to adverse weather conditions earlier on Saturday. However, no individual got injured in the incident, as the building has remained largely empty for the past few years.
Historical Significance
While the entire premise was built during the Mughal era, it was later utilized by the Britishers for multiple purposes. They built the grand building which served as the city's municipal office for over 140 years before the office of MCD was shifted to the new Civic Centre on Minto Road back in 2012. The discussions to turn the building into a library or restaurant have been ongoing, but no concrete step has been taken.
Clearance Works Underway
The MCD has cordoned off the region following the incident and has restricted entry near the partially collapsed building. As per the reports, the authority has remained cautious due to the fear of a possible collapse of the injured walls. The officials have also posted warning posters near the building, asking the residents to not visit the site for the next few days. While some of the portions would be fixed with repair work, reconstruction would be required at some sections due to the large-scale damage.
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While providing details, an MCD official stated that the clearance work has been underway since the roof collapsed. He further stated that while some debris and beams have been removed, it could take several days to clear the whole area. "The adjoining walls have developed cracks, and a portion of the first floor has also been damaged,” the official said," the official was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.