India, Feb. 23 -- New Delhi

The Public Works Department (PWD) has mandated strict enforcement of building safety measures during construction work, terming public safety "non-negotiable" in view of the recent death of a biker who died due to falling into a pit dug up by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Janakpuri earlier this month.

In a memorandum issued on February 19, the PWD said it had become "imperative to reiterate and strictly enforce comprehensive building safety measures on all PWD buildings considering the fact that public safety is of paramount importance".

Directing immediate compliance, the PWD said that all ongoing and future building foundation excavation and construction works "shall be properly barricaded at all times, bot...