Supreme Court seeks Centres response on construction worker safety after Gurugram collapse

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response to a public interest litigation seeking stronger occupational safety standards for construction workers, following a March collapse at a construction site in Gurugram that killed seven workers and injured four.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued notice on September 21 to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment and Haryana government authorities. The petition was filed by the National Campaign Committee for Central Legislation on Construction Labour.

The petition centres on the March 9 collapse at the Signature Global City of Colours project in Sidhrawali, Gurugram. According to reporting by Hindustan Times, workers were carrying out excavation for a sewage treatment plant when a retaining wall collapsed. Seven workers died and four were injured.

The petitioners argue that India's current occupational safety framework does not set out sufficiently detailed requirements for some of the risks specific to construction sites. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, told the court that rules were needed to address activities including excavation, shoring, sloping, scaffolding and demolition.

The case comes against the backdrop of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions framework. Hindustan Times reported that the new Central Rules came into operation on May 7, 2026, and that the petition argues the Centre has an obligation to frame rules relating to building and other construction work.

The petition also seeks an independent, time-bound investigation into the Gurugram collapse. It asks that the inquiry examine the roles of the developer, management personnel, project and safety officials, engineers, contractors and subcontractors, as well as technical and safety records connected with the work.

Compensation and rehabilitation are another part of the plea. The petition asks authorities to identify the deceased and injured workers and determine and disburse compensation, medical or rehabilitation assistance and other statutory dues. It also seeks welfare-board benefits and unpaid wages for eligible workers and their families.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court indicated that worker safety should be tied to the licensing of construction activity. Chief Justice Surya Kant said safety compliance should be made a condition of a licence.

The court has not, at this stage, made a final finding that the existing framework caused or contributed to the Gurugram collapse. The allegations about gaps in the rules form part of the petition now before the court, and the Centre and other respondents have been asked to respond.

For India's construction industry, the case could put greater attention on how safety requirements are translated into enforceable standards at high-risk sites. For workers, contractors and developers, the immediate issue is whether the regulatory framework should spell out more specific safeguards for excavation and other construction activities.

Sources

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gurugram-collapse-sc-seeks-centre-s-reply-on-gaps-in-safety-code-for-workers-101790016106810.html

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/sc-seeks-centre-s-response-on-pil-for-occupational-safety-for-construction-workers-101789987388112.html

https://www.livelaw.in/amp/top-stories/gurugram-building-site-collapse-supreme-court-issues-notice-on-pil-seeking-probe-safety-standards-for-construction-workers-551042

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/7-killed-as-mound-of-soil-collapses-at-gurugram-construction-site-2-held-126031100008_1.html

https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Mar/10/seven-killed-as-wall-collapses-at-gurugram