New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): Following the tragic collapse of a building in Mustafabad that claimed four lives, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sushil Gupta expressed condolences over the loss of lives while blaming civic agencies and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for long-standing negligence.

Speaking to ANI, Gupta criticised the failure to enforce structural safety norms and highlighted the absence of a comprehensive master plan or housing policy in Delhi over the past 25 years, leading to unchecked illegal constructions.

'My deep condolences for the four people who have lost their lives. It is the duty of civic bodies, but for a long time now, whenever there are illegal constructions in Delhi, the Corporation has not been able to pay attention to the structural safety or structural stability of those buildings,' Gupta said.

'The country is progressing, and yet in the capital city Delhi, for the past 25 years, the DDA has not been able to bring any proper master plan. As a result, illegal constructions are happening all around. The DDA has also failed to bring any housing policy,' Sushil Gupta said.

He further pointed out that the neighbouring states around Delhi all have proper policies, but Delhi does not.

'Due to this, poor people continue to build floor upon floor without any regulation. I would like to request that the Corporation take responsibility, and that the DDA bring a comprehensive policy on land development,' the AAP leader said.

Earlier today, the four-storey building collapsed in Delhi's Mustafabad area.

According to the latest update, four people have succumbed to their injuries, and 14 people were rescued from the incident site.

However, NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi said that around 12 people are still trapped under the debris.

'According to information received from locals, around 12 people are still trapped. Our NDRF team and other agencies are engaged in rescue work. This is a congested area, and we are facing difficulties in the movement of heavy machinery; we hope we will be able to save lives,' Shahedi said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mustafabad MLA Mohan Singh Bisht alleged that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and such departments are drenched in corruption.

'Three months ago, when I won the elections, I was in this area. I had said at that time that this building could cause an accident. I have told the Delhi LG and MCD commissioner that action should be taken against the officials for their negligence. Appropriate compensation will be provided to the family of the deceased... The entire Mustafabad is full of buildings that can cause harm. Buildings have been constructed illegally. The power companies are not providing power connections to the poor, but there are electric poles inside the houses... MCD and such departments are drenched in corruption, and this incident has exposed them,' Bisht said. (ANI)