New Delhi: A dramatic incident in Delhi has thrown a harsh spotlight on the city’s ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure. A section of a service lane near KM Chowk in Dwarka’s Sector 12 collapsed on Monday night, swallowing a car and causing significant disruption. While no official statement has been released regarding the incident, the event has sparked a heated political debate, with accusations flying between the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The incident quickly became a symbol of broader concerns about Delhi’s infrastructure. Locals sprang into action, rescuing the two occupants of the vehicle.
Former AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav seized on the opportunity to criticize the BJP, predicting that such incidents would become commonplace during their five-year term. Yadav’s post on social media directly linked the incident to the newly elected BJP government, emphasising the concentration of BJP representatives, from MP to Municipal Councilor, in the affected area.
#WATCH | Delhi: A portion of a service lane collapsed near KM Chowk in Dwarka”s sector 12. A car was also reported to have fallen in the pit. pic.twitter.com/KhSQs63ANR
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2025
Car
“Immediately after taking oath today, BJP started working at a rapid pace. This is KM Chowk of Dwarka in Matiala assembly constituency, where from MP to MLA and Municipal Councilor, all are from BJP. People of Delhi should be alert and prepared, they have to endure for the entire five years. KM Chowk, Sector 12, Dwarka Matiala Assembly Constituency,” Yadav wrote in his post.
This criticism comes amid a backdrop of the BJP’s own election campaign promises to address Delhi’s crumbling infrastructure. The BJP had heavily criticised the previous AAP government for poor road conditions, water shortages, polluted water supply, sewer overflows, and clogged drains. In a seeming attempt to counter these criticisms, newly elected Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her Council of Ministers met with officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on February 22nd to assess the state of the city’s infrastructure and discuss remedial actions.
“An important meeting was held with the officials of Delhi Jal Board and PWD. Water related issues were discussed in detail with the officials of Jal Board, in which various aspects were discussed. At the same time, a discussion was held with PWD officials regarding the condition of broken roads and drains, in which necessary improvements were discussed. We are continuously working for the convenience and development of Delhiites,” the chief minister posted on X.
Gupta’s subsequent post on X highlighted the meeting’s focus on water-related issues and the need for improvements in road and drainage conditions. However, the timing of the cave-in casts a shadow over these promises.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra further emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing these issues, citing a visit to Khajuri Chowk and reporting widespread road damage across the city. Mishra announced the Chief Minister’s directive for 24/7 work from all officials and declared an end to the alleged “non-working culture” of the previous administration, promising a new work ethic driven by Prime Minister Modi’s work culture.
