Jamna, a 28-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, died on the spot. The injured were rushed to General Hospital, Sector 6 in Panchkula. The construction had been taken up by a private company, Shakti Constructions, under the supervision of the Haryana Urban Development Board.

Around 30-35 labourers were working when the lintel collapsed late on Monday. Police have registered an FIR against the contractor, Vijay Goyal, who owns Shakti Constructions. Within minutes of the collapse, four JCB machines, three cranes, four ambulances and a fire brigade were pressed into service. Sources said the lintel collapsed because the construction material was of poor quality.

“The labourers were laying of the main arc on the pillars on one side of the entrance gate when the pillars gave way. As a result, the entire structure collapsed. Though on the face of it, it seems that the contractor and HUDA are responsible for what happened, a Sub Divisional Magistrate-level inquiry has been marked into the case. The report will be submitted in a month,” said Panchkula DC Rajender Kumar Kataria.

“Relatives of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 1 lakh, as announced by the Haryana Chief Minister. Another Rs 1 lakh will be given under Rajiv Gandhi Parivar Bima Yojna. Also, treatment charges of the injured will be borne by the state government,” said the DC.

Following the accident, traffic movement on the road was disrupted for around two hours. Around 15 traffic police personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control. The remaining structure was also demolished so that the road could be cleared for traffic.