By IANS,
New Delhi : With government agencies woefully slow in responding to the disaster, survivors of the east Delhi building collapse are relying on voluntary organisations to help them in rehabilitation.
Members of an NGO, South Asian Forum for People Against Terror, Wednesday distributed food and water to about 100 survivors, who are living by the roadside since Monday night, when the five-storey building came crashing down and left 66 people killed and 82 injured.
“We saw people complaining on TV channels about no food or water being made available to them. We have arranged for breakfast and lunch for 100 people. We will see what else can be done for them,” NGO member Ashok Randhawa told IANS.
Earlier too, it was the neighbours and other passers-by who helped in removing the debris from the site, and contributed in relief operations. Neighbours say government help came late.
“Until Tuesday night, we could hear voices coming from under the debris. But now I doubt anyone is still alive. The rescue operation is very slow,” local resident Shaka Haldar said.
Haldar said it was the neighbours who rushed for help and rescued many people.
“I myself pulled out four people from the debris with bare hands. One person survived, the other three couldn’t make it and died on their way to the hospital,” Haldar said.
Sudden showers Wednesday morning slowed down the clearing operations, officials said, adding that up to 20 people may still be lying buried under the rubble. Rescue workers said most of the debris had been cleared by morning.
But survivors maintain more needs to be done.
“We have been out in the open since Monday night. We are not getting food and water and the cold is killing us,” said Reena.
Authorities have evacuated three buildings in the area, and about 200 people are staying in the neighbourhood park.
“Many people are suffering from fever and there is no help from any corner. I have paid Rs.500 to an auto rickshaw driver to help me shift my luggage,” said Sukhdev Singh, a carpenter.
The women complained about the lack of washrooms.
“The police are not allowing us to use the toilets at our evacuated building. There are no public toilets around, so it is really difficult for us,” said 16-year-old Sandhya Haldar.
Minoti, who lost her husband and is now desperately looking for her two children, said she doesn’t care about compensation announced by Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.
“I don’t want any money. Let the government keep the compensation money. I just want to see my children’s bodies. One is 12 years old, the other is 13. But the pace of rescue operation is so slow,” Minoti told IANS, her voice choking.
“I know around 20 people who stayed in the building. Three children are dead, but there’s no information about the rest of them,” another local resident, Lakshmi Haldar, said.
“I have informed their families in Bihar about the accident. But until I see their bodies, or get some kind of information, what do I tell them? Even the hospitals have not put up their pictures,” she said.
“I wish they would allow us to help in the rescue work. We helped in the beginning and can do so again,” Lakshmi said.
The building, inhabited by poor migrant families from Bihar and West Bengal and located in congested Lalita Park locality near the Yamuna river in east Delhi, collapsed around 8.15 p.m. Monday.
The owner of the unauthorised building, Amrit Singh, who went into hiding since the tragedy and was arrested Tuesday night, will be presented in court Wednesday.