Satya Niketan collapse aftermath: Illegal buildings, PGs face bulldozer action in Delhi

The MCD has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised construction and PG accommodations across Delhi after the Satya Niketan building collapse. Around 1,100 PG properties have been surveyed in two days, while demolition, sealing and notices have followed. The civic body has also ordered inspections of PG hubs and checks on illegal fifth-floor constructions.

In Short

• Teams surveyed about 1,100 PG properties across all 12 MCD zones
• Around 20,250 students living in these accommodations were covered during inspections
• Demolition action was carried out at 24 properties in two days

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised construction and properties being used as paying guest (PG) accommodations across the national capital following the Satya Niketan building collapse.

Over the past two days, MCD enforcement teams have surveyed around 1,100 PG properties across all 12 zones of the civic body, covering approximately 20,250 students living in these accommodations. The civic body has also initiated demolition, sealing and other enforcement proceedings against properties found to be violating applicable norms.

DEMOLITION ACTION IN DELHI

In the latest action, MCD teams demolished an illegally constructed building in Pandav Nagar in East Delhi. In Uttam Nagar, a four-storey building under construction is facing demolition action, with other unauthorised portions, including an extended terrace, also being brought down. Officials said such structures had been constructed without the requisite permissions.

The MCD has also taken action at properties in areas including Laxmi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, Tilak Nagar, Karam Pura, Karol Bagh, Ramesh Nagar, Mansarovar Garden, Chandni Chowk and Nehru Vihar, among others.

In the last two days, demolition action has been carried out at 24 properties, while 27 properties have been ordered to be demolished. Seven properties have been sealed, while 35 show-cause notices have been issued to property owners. Six additional show-cause notices related to sealing action have also been issued.

The enforcement drive follows directions from the MCD Commissioner to map every PG accommodation in Delhi and assess the properties for compliance with applicable building and safety requirements.

The Commissioner has also issued specific directions on unauthorised fifth-floor construction. If a fifth floor is found to have been constructed in a building that is still under construction, it will be demolished immediately. Existing buildings with fifth floors will be reviewed by civic authorities, with action to be taken based on their findings.

The MCD has said the exercise is aimed at identifying PG properties and checking compliance with building and civic regulations, particularly in properties housing large numbers of students.

OFFICIALS TOLD TO INSPECT PGS

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to launch a crackdown on illegal constructions, including demolition action, and ensure that all senior civic officials remain on the ground during the enforcement drive. She has also ordered an intensive inspection of all PG accommodation in Delhi, with particular focus on illegal constructions.

Authorities have been asked to examine building records to ascertain the year in which unauthorised constructions came up and under whose jurisdiction and responsibility they occurred. Officials said action against illegal constructions was carried out in several parts of the city on Wednesday as part of the drive.

The directions come after the collapse of a five-storey building in south Delhi's Satya Niketan on Sunday, which killed at least seven people and brought the issue of illegal construction and building safety into focus. Since then, the MCD has stepped up action against unauthorised constructions.

According to civic body data updated till Tuesday, demolition action was taken against 24 properties and seven illegal structures were sealed following the Satya Niketan building collapse. Overall, between June 1 and September 8, the MCD carried out demolition action against 1,007 properties and sealed 471 others.

During the period, the civic body issued 3,018 show-cause notices, including 1,551 for unauthorised construction, 714 for sealing and 753 for demolition, according to the data. Earlier, Gupta and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu had directed authorities to inspect PG accommodation hubs, particularly buildings that have prima facie violated prescribed height and floor restrictions. The LG had also directed that structural audits of all buildings in PG hubs be completed within a week.

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Inputs from PTI