MCD Steps Up Citywide Crackdown, 136 Demolitions in 5 Days

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has intensified its enforcement drive against dangerous buildings, unauthorised constructions and violations of building norms across all 12 zones of the city following the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people on September 6, officials said.

Between September 7 and September 11, the civic body carried out 136 demolition actions across Delhi. It undertook seven demolitions on September 7, 17 on September 8, 46 on September 9, 41 on September 10 and 25 on September 11.

On Friday, the MCD carried out 25 demolition actions, sealed four properties, issued six show-cause notices and passed four demolition orders, officials said.

Demolition action was taken in areas including Satya Niketan, Vasant Kunj, Burari, Shalimar Bagh, Krishna Park, Rajan Babu Road and Chandu Nagar.

In the Old Delhi Zone, the civic body carried out targeted action at a property in Delhi Gate Bazaar in Daryaganj. Two roof panels on the fifth floor were demolished with the assistance of personnel from the Daryaganj police station.

The MCD also continued the controlled demolition of a building adjoining the structure that collapsed in Satya Niketan.The civic body has also been surveying paying guest (PG) accommodation buildings across Delhi. So far, 1,523 operational PG buildings have been identified, housing around 33,500 occupants.

According to MCD data, the survey had covered 1,355 PG buildings by September 10 and found three buildings that were “visibly dangerous”, housing 69 students and young professionals.

Officials said the survey data was being consolidated and further legal and regulatory action would be taken against establishments found violating safety or other applicable norms.The MCD has carried out 1,119 demolition actions against unauthorised constructions, dangerous structures and other building violations across Delhi between June 1 and September 11.

The enforcement drive covers structures found to be dangerous or in violation of the Master Plan of Delhi and building bye-laws.