Tragedy in Jaipur: Restaurant Roof Collapses, One Dead, One Injured

Jaipur: A major accident occurred late Wednesday evening in Jaipur when the roof of the Harishankar Restaurant on Tonk Road suddenly collapsed. During the incident, several people were dining when portions of the roof gave way, trapping some under the debris. Emergency teams, including the police, SDRF, and Civil Defence, conducted a rescue operation. One person was declared dead at the hospital, while another was admitted with injuries.

Chaos at the Scene
The restaurant, located near the Sanganer Pulia intersection in the Sanganer police station area, had been operational for several years. The building, made of stone slabs supported by stone pillars, was old and structurally weak. At the time of the collapse, four employees were busy in the kitchen while some customers were eating. Panic ensued as debris fell, trapping two individuals, while others managed to escape unharmed.

Weak Roof and Heavy Debris Cause Collapse
The stone slab roof was exposed to heat from gas stoves and brick ovens in the kitchen beneath, which weakened the structure over time. Additionally, heavy scrap and materials stored on the roof added excessive weight. Around 8 PM, the pillars gave way, causing the roof to cave in. Sanganer ACP Vinod Sharma stated that preliminary investigations suggest heat exposure and accumulated weight caused the structural failure. The police are continuing a detailed investigation.

Illegal Operations Despite JD Authority Notices
The restaurant was located within the road boundary, and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) had issued notices to the owner to remove the encroachment. The site had also been marked red by the JDA, indicating illegal occupation. Despite these warnings, the restaurant continued operations. Following the collapse, the owner remains absconding. ASI Gopal confirmed that the police are actively searching for the owner.