We have registered a case of negligence and technical experts will carry out an inquiry into the matter.'

'The traffic, and power and water supply in the area have been affected following the rescue operation. Debris clearance will take time as the collapsed structure is quite big,' Kashyap said.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit termed the accident 'unfortunate' and said: 'We shall fix the accountability of those behind the incident.'

She announced a compensation of Rs.500,000 to the kin of each of the deceased, Rs.200,000 each to those permanently disabled and Rs.50,000 each to the injured. The amount is to be paid by the DMRC.

Dikshit denied allegations that the bridge came down because work was being done in haste to meet the deadline for the Commonwealth Games.

'I don't think it was due to the pressure of Commonwealth Games that the incident happened. There is no pressure that could lead to the collapse,' she added.

According to DMRC, the incident took place between pillars 66 and 67 when the pillar cap was affected.

'Ten segments were to be erected on the stretch of which five had been completed. When the sixth segment was being erected, the launching girder collapsed due to disbalance causing a portion of the bridge to fall,' Dayal explained.

Dayal said rescue operations were being monitored by a team of 100 DMRC engineers and DMRC Managing Director E. Sreedharan was on his way from Bangalore.

A Delhi Jal Board water supply pipe also burst, swamping the area in ankle to knee deep water.

'We have also temporarily disconnected the electricity lines in the area. Traffic has been diverted at the Kailash Colony market, Amar Colony, the nearby Lady Sri Ram College and Blue Bells School till 6.00 a.m. tomorrow (Monday),' Dayal said.

DMRC is scheduled to complete the 190-km Phase II of the Delhi Metro by October 2010 and construction was on in full swing to ensure that deadlines were met.