A massive fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a temporary workers’ camp near the demolished Nirman Bhawan site in central Delhi, where more than 1,000 construction labourers were living while working on a major government project.
The camp, located close to Udyog Bhawan and behind the Ministry of External Affairs, was housing workers employed by Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd..
According to labour rights group All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), the fire started around 2 AM and spread rapidly through the metal compartments where workers were staying.
Workers had warned about electrical faults
AICCTU alleged that workers had repeatedly informed supervisors and contractors about frequent short circuits inside the residential complex days before the fire.
“They warned the site management several times, but no action was taken,” said Sucheta De, Vice President of AICCTU.
She claimed that the site electrician refused to repair the electrical faults, saying he had received no instructions from the company.
“This is a clear case of criminal negligence,” she said.
LPG cylinders inside rooms worsened the fire
Labour leaders said the company had failed to provide proper cooking spaces, forcing workers to keep LPG cylinders inside their small metal rooms.
When the fire broke out, several cylinders reportedly exploded one after another, turning the camp into what workers described as an “inescapable inferno.”
“Workers lost everything — their money, clothes, documents, and belongings were burned,” AICCTU said in a statement.
No deaths have been officially confirmed so far, but several workers reportedly suffered injuries while trying to escape.
Questions raised over contractor’s past record
The incident has also brought attention to the past record of Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Ltd..
AICCTU pointed to previous allegations involving the company, including its name in the 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption scandal and past workplace accidents, including fatal incidents at All India Institute of Medical Sciences construction sites in 2016.
The labour body also questioned how the company continues to receive major government contracts despite facing allegations and legal disputes in the past.
Demand for probe and compensation
AICCTU has demanded an immediate inquiry into labour law violations at construction sites around Parliament and the Central Vista area.
The union has asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure compensation for affected workers and strict action against those responsible.
“If labour laws can be ignored at the doorstep of Parliament itself, what hope remains for workers across the country?” Sucheta De asked.
