The Delhi Government today directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to make an emergency survey of all buildings in the Laxmi Nagar area to determine their structural deficiencies.

At a high-level meeting attended by top officials from MCD, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Development Authority, Urban Development Department and the Delhi Jal Board, the civic body was told to begin the survey today itself and based on it take necessary action, including evacuation of people so that such incidents do not recur in the future.

The survey would be carried out within a radius of 300 metres from the Pushta road, where a building collapsed last night.

MCD Commissioner K S Mehra said, MCD was inquiring into the incident. "We will conduct a survey in the area of all the buildings and take adequate action including demolition".

Mehra said the survey would be carried out as per the Chief Minister's advice.

Delhi Urban Development and Finance Minister A K Walia told reporters after the meeting that the Irrigation and Flood Control department has also been told to remove the stagnant water from that area and immediately improve the drainage system.

The DJB has been told to install extra pumps at its Preet Vihar station to chuck out water from the area.

Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) has been told to file its report within ten days and based on the report strict action will be taken against the guilty.

"Nobody will go scot-free. Based on the report strongest possible punishment will be given to those responsible for the incident," he said adding that the colony was unauthorised till 1977 after which it was regularised.

Walia said one of the reasons for the collapse could be that a huge amount of salt was stored in the basement of the building which got mixed with water and might have weakened the whole structure.

"The water level in the basement was very high in the basement and construction quality was very poor. The MCD has also been told to improve the sewer lines," he said.

Asked who to blame for the incident, Walia said, multiplicity of authorities has resulted in non-implementation of rules and regulations.

"We have to make rules and regulations which are implementable. There are so many agencies involved that leaves so many loopholes in the system".

Walia said that the MCD has been told not to allow any construction activities without having proper building sanction plans.